Wrestlers call off move to immerse medals in Ganga; UWW threatens to suspend WFI

New Delhi: India's top wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat called off the move to immerse their medals in Ganga, even as United World Wrestling (UWW) threatened to suspend WFI.

On Tuesday, the wrestlers stated that they would immerse medals in the holy river as a mark of protest against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations including a minor.

They took a step ahead in the protest, a day after Delhi police detained Sakshi Malik along with World Championships bronze winner Vinesh Phogat and another Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia while they were marching towards the new Parliament building. Police filed FIRs against them for violation of law and order, as dramatic scenes unfolded at the protest site at Jantar Mantar.

Singh is currently an accused in two FIRs regarding sexual assault, including one under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

At Haridwar, Sakshi, Vinesh, and her cousin Sangeeta were seen sobbing as their husbands tried to console them, even as scores of their supporters formed a cordon around them. The wrestlers stood for about 20 minutes in silence after reaching Har ki Pauri. They then sat on the banks of the river holding their medals and looking distressed.

The whole episode was reminiscent of the 1960 incident when the legendary Muhammad Ali, then Cassius Clay, threw his Olympic gold medal into the Ohio River to protest racial segregation in the US.

However, the plan was halted after senior farmer leaders Sham Singh Malik and Naresh Tikait sought five days from the grapplers to resolve the issue. The wrestlers gave an ultimatum to the Centre and decided to return after five days if no action is taken against the WFI president. "The Khap leaders put their turbans before us and said 'do not lose hope'. Keep the dignity of the turban and return. So we decided to wait," said wrestler Jitender Kinha, who has been a part of the protesting group.

"Because of them, we hold our heads high in the international sports arena. We will make sure they won't have to hang their head in shame," Naresh Tikait told the media.

UWW condemns the detention of the wrestlers

United World Wrestling (UWW) firmly condemns the treatment and detention of the wrestlers and said the events of these last days are even more worrying.

In a statement released on Tuesday, it expressed its disappointment over the lack of results of the investigations so far and urged the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the allegations.

"As it has already done since the beginning of this situation, UWW will hold a meeting with the wrestlers to inquire about their condition and safety and reconfirm our support for a fair and just resolution of their concerns," said in a statement.

For several months, United World Wrestling has followed with great concern the situation in India where wrestlers are protesting over allegations of abuse and harassment by the President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). It has taken due note that the WFI President has been put aside at an early stage and is currently not in charge.

"UWW will request further information about the next elective general assembly from the IOA and the Ad-hoc Committee of the WFI. The 45-day deadline that was initially set to hold this elective assembly shall be respected. Failing to do so may lead UWW to suspend the federation, thereby forcing the athletes to compete under a neutral flag," the statement read.

UWW also reminded that they already took a measure in this situation by reallocating the Asian Championship planned in New Delhi earlier this year.

Supported by Sportspersons & Olympians

The wrestlers who have been protesting since April 23 faced tough times but were supported by other athletes, opposition leaders, and cricket stars.

Athlete Neeraj Chopra was the first sportsperson who expressed solidarity with the wrestlers. He posted a tweet asking the authorities to take quick action.

Former tennis player Sania Mirza too posted an emotional message on Twitter saying 'it was time to stand' with the wrestlers. Being an athlete and a woman, Sania felt it was too difficult to watch.

At the latest, On Tuesday, Cricketer Anil Kumble posted a Tweet saying, "Dismayed to hear about what transpired on May 28, with our wrestlers being manhandled. Anything can be resolved through proper dialogue. Hoping for a resolution at the best"

Cricketers Harbhajan Singh, Kapil Dev, Virendra Sehwag, and Irfan Pathan were the first cricketers to break the silence and demand the dismissal of the WFI chief. Also, Olympian Abhinav Bindra, Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen expressed support.

India's first individual Olympic gold medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra on Tuesday expressed that Delhi police action against the country's top wrestlers at Jantar Mantar gave him sleepless nights, and was haunted by the images.

For several months, United World Wrestling has followed with great concern the situation in India where wrestlers are protesting over allegations of abuse and harassment by the President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). It has taken due note that the WFI President has been put aside at an early stage and is currently not in charge.

The events of these last days are even more worrying that the wrestlers were arrested and temporarily detained by the police for initiating a march of protest. The site where they had been protesting for more than a month has also been cleared out by the authorities.

Opposition leaders react

Several opposition party leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal, as well as the Delhi Commission for Women, condemned the detainment and manhandling of the protesting wrestlers.

Reacting to the detaining by Delhi Police, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "The coronation is over, the arrogant king is crushing the voice of the public on the streets!" He also shared footage of protestors being manhandled by the police.

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party President Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter to condemn the police action "Such behavior with our sportspersons who bring honor to the country are very wrong and condemnable," he stated.

Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar said that the wrestlers are mistreated and manhandled instead of justice. He strongly condemned the act by the Delhi police.

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the treatment meted out to the wrestlers by the Delhi Police had "tarnished" the image of the country.

"They were badly beaten, and this has tarnished the image of the country globally. I have spoken to them this afternoon (Tuesday) and assured them that we are with them and we will fully support them. I have told them that the medals they won have made the country proud. You carry on with your movement. My solidarity is with them. I have asked my sports minister Arup Biswas to hold a rally to show solidarity with the wrestlers tomorrow from Hazra More to Rabindra Sarovar (in Kolkata)." she said.

Telangana IT minister KTR posted a message on twitter questioning on why is Govt of India going to great lengths protecting this MP who’s accused of sexual harassment ? While the accused BJP MP Singh is being shielded by PM Modi & HM Shah, the champion wrestlers have to resort to Ganga Visarjan of their Olympic medals

In Hyderabad, Social Activists protested and express solidarity with women's wrestlers protesting They also demanded the arrest of WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, by standing in hussain sagar at the same time when wrestlers planned to throw their medals in ganga.

Inputs from PTI