Wrestlers protest: Vinesh Phogat speaks out against politicians spreading misinformation

Commonwealth Games gold medalist Vinesh Phogat announced that wrestlers protesting against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh will come live on social media on Saturday at 7 pm, after observing that “what about wrestlers in society”. Incorrect things are being spread” by some politicians for their personal interest.” Phogat took to Twitter to make the announcement. Olympic medalists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik also tweeted the same.

, 24 June 2023

Olympians Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat along with other wrestlers have been protesting in the national capital since the beginning of this year to press for the arrest of Brij Bhushan on sexual assault allegations.

Vinesh Phogat accused BJP leader Yogeshwar Dutt of leaking the names of women wrestlers Brijbhushan Sharan Singh and the media after the committee meeting on Friday.

Earlier that day, Yogeshwar had posted a video on Twitter questioning the alleged exemption from trials for protesting wrestlers. Out of the six wrestlers, Vinesh Phogat was a part of that list. He put out a tweet on Twitter and explained how Yogeshwar used to suppress the voices of women wrestlers and leaked the names of women wrestlers as well as Brij Bhushan Singh to the media.

“When I heard Yogeshwar Dutt’s video, his ugly laugh stuck in my mind. He was a part of both the committees for women wrestlers. He used to laugh a lot when women wrestlers narrated their ordeals in front of the committee,” Vinesh tweeted. Wrote, “When two female wrestlers came out to drink water, they came out and said that nothing should happen to Brijbhushan. Go and do your practice.”

He told another woman wrestler very rudely that this all goes on, don’t make it such a big issue. Let me know if you need anything. Yogeshwar leaked the names of women wrestlers after the committee meeting. Brij Bhushan and the media. He also called up the homes of several women wrestlers and asked them to explain to their girls,” Vinesh said.

Vinesh also questioned the appointment of Yogeshwar in the Oversight Committee. He also accused them of preventing wrestlers and coaches from joining the movement. “He was already making public statements against women wrestlers, yet he was placed on both committees. He constantly prevented wrestlers and coaches from joining the women wrestlers movement.” He ended his tweet by labeling Yogeshwar as ‘insensitive’ and claimed that the wrestling world would remember him as the one who helped Brij Bhushan.
“Wrestling world will always remember your licking Brijbhushan’s feet. Don’t use so much force to break women wrestlers, their intentions are very strong. You are very insensitive person. Flattering the tyrant by standing on his side.” As long as people like Yogeshwar stay in wrestling, the spirits of the oppressors will surely remain high,” his tweet concluded.

Dutt on Friday expressed dismay over reports that the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) ad-hoc committee has decided to exempt the protesting wrestlers from the preliminary trials. Reports claim that six wrestlers – Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Sangeeta Phogat, Satyawart Kadian and Jitendra Kinha – have not only been exempted from attending the initial trials, but have also been promised that They will compete directly. Trials winner.
Yogeshwar posted a video on Twitter, questioning the criteria and parameters based on which the protesting wrestlers were exempted from trials.

“I came to know from a newspaper report that the ad-hoc committee of the IOA has decided to exempt (the wrestlers protesting against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh) from the trial. They will take part in the final trial. Yogeshwar “I don’t know what parameters or criteria were taken into consideration by the committee to give direct final trials to all the six wrestlers,” he said in the video.
Also questioning the protest by wrestlers, he said that he doubts whether the protest is more related to the exemption from trial than the allegations of sexual harassment against the WFI chief.

The BJP leader said he was aware that the wrestlers had written to the ad-hoc committee of the IOA seeking exemption from trials.
Yogeshwar said, “Was the protest against sexual harassment or to get immunity from prosecution? I also came to know that the protesters had written to the ad hoc committee seeking immunity from prosecution.” He argued that there are other wrestlers who have a stronger and more substantial claim to trial exemption than those who have been away from the mat for more than a year.

“If you want to give such an exemption, give it to Olympic gold medalist Ravi Dhaiya, or Deepak Punia (placed fourth in the Olympics), Anshu Malik (world wrestling championship silver medallist), and Sonam Malik. These six athletes Exemption from trials is beyond my understanding and is clearly not the right thing to do. This was not done even by the previous federation. You took the decision without looking into the rules or setting any criteria. All wrestlers should raise their voice against it Yogeshwar said, “I am not saying they should protest, but they raise their voice through media, writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, IOA and (Union Sports Minister) Anurag Thakur “
Notably, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections have been postponed from July 6 to July 11, according to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

The election will be decided by the members of the executive committee of WFI. One post of President, one post of Senior Vice President, four posts of Vice President, one post each of General Secretary and Treasurer, two posts of Joint Secretary and five posts of Executive Member will be decided. Letter from IOA. The last date for receiving names for the electoral collage will be till 5:00 pm on June 25. Two nominations will be made from each State/UT. The letter states that all the State/UT wrestling federations will nominate two persons each from their respective federations, who will be part of the executive body, to form the electoral collage for the election to the executive committee of the WFI.

Preparation and display of the electoral roll, distribution to affiliates and publication on the IOA/WFI websites will be done on 28 June.
Nominations for the election will be submitted from 29 June to 1 July from 11 am to 5 pm. The preparation and display of nomination papers received by the Returning Officer will be done by 1 pm on July 3. The scrutiny of nomination papers will be done till 11 am on July 4. The information of withdrawal of the names of the candidates can be submitted between July 4 and July 7 till 5 pm. The letter states that the final list of candidates will be made by 11 am on July 8.

Voting will be held on July 11 from 11 am to 1:20 pm. The counting of votes will start at 1:30 pm and the results will be declared on the same day.
Olympians Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat along with other wrestlers have been protesting in the national capital since the beginning of this year to press for the arrest of Brij Bhushan on sexual assault allegations.

Earlier on June 13, Mahesh Mittal Kumar, the newly appointed returning officer for the WFI elections, in a statement announced that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections would be held on July 6 amid the ongoing protest by wrestlers against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The process of filing nominations was also announced to start from June 19.

“Whereas, the Indian Olympic Association vide its letter No. IOA/I-28/2023/1350 dated 12th June 2023 has appointed the undersigned as the Returning Officer for the purpose of conducting the election to the Executive Committee of the Wrestling Federation. India of (WFI), which is an affiliate member of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA),” read the statement by the Returning Officer’s office.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) convened a three-member ad-hoc committee in April as ordered by the Sports Ministry, and two members to oversee the day-to-day activities of the WFI and select wrestlers for international events in the interim period was named.

After a meeting with Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, star Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia on Wednesday said the government has assured that the ongoing investigation by the Delhi Police against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh will be completed before June 15. Will be taken
Earlier in June, former Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Mahesh Mittal Kumar was appointed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) as the returning officer for the elections to the Wrestling Federation of India.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Joint Secretary and Acting CEO Kalyan Choubey on Monday through an official letter confirmed the appointment of Justice MM Kumar, along with an Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) to assist him in the operations. ) and authorized to appoint other employees. Election.
The elections will be crucial in shaping the future of wrestling in India and decide the leadership of the federation.