Women wrestlers gained’t really feel secure if Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s folks win WFI polls: Bajrang Punia

New Delhi: The authorities should preserve its phrase on guaranteeing a shift of energy within the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) with no shut affiliate of president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh contesting within the election else there will likely be no clean-up and ladies wrestlers gained’t really feel secure, Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia stated on Wednesday.

Singh, the BJP MP from Kaiserganj in Uttar Pradesh, has been discovered responsible for prosecution for sexual harassment, molestation and stalking of ladies wrestlers within the Delhi Police chargesheet. Bajrang and a few of the nation’s different high wrestlers had suspended their protest towards Singh after a gathering with sports activities minister Anurag Thakur in June. One of the circumstances agreed upon, based on Bajrang, was that ‘no family member’ or ‘supporter’ of Singh would contest the elections.

“Those close to Brij Bhushan are in the fray for the elections. Sanjay Kumar Singh is contesting for the post of WFI president. If Sanjay Kumar wins, it is equal to Brij Bhushan winning the elections. The government had promised us that those close to Brij Bhushan and his family members won’t contest. But that doesn’t seem to be the case now.
The government must fulfil its promise, otherwise women wrestlers won’t be safe. How long will women wrestlers live in fear?” Bajrang informed The Indian Express.

Sanjay Kumar is the vice-president of Uttar Pradesh Wrestling Association.

Brij Bhushan needs to carry on to energy through his trusted aides in an effort to attempt to silence these girls wrestlers who wish to converse out towards him however are scared to take action.

“The moment it is clear that the WFI has nobody connected to Brij Bhushan, other victims of sexual harassment will also have the courage to talk about what they went through. Brij Bushan is so powerful and well connected. That is why we want change in the WFI,” Bajrang stated.

Worthy challenger

The contest for the president’s put up is a two-way race, the opposite candidate being 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Anita Sheoran. A witness and a corroborator within the case towards Brij Bhushan, Anita has the backing of Bajrang and two different outstanding wrestlers who have been a part of the protest — Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat.

“Anita is a former wrestler. She understands the sport, knows the sacrifices wrestlers have to make to win a medal for the country and will be the voice of wrestlers. Most importantly, women wrestlers will feel safe. I am not saying make me the president of the WFI. But the government had promised us that our opinion would matter when it came to who occupies the key posts in the WFI. It was one of the conditions and a reason we called off our protest. But it does not look like the promise will be fulfilled,” Bajrang stated.

Sports minister Anurag Thakur, talking after a six-hour assembly with the protesting wrestlers in June, had stated, “After the elections, WFI should function as a good federation with good office-bearers. Players’ opinions should be taken in this regard. Former president Brij Bhushan Singh, who has completed three terms, and those close to him, should not be elected, the wrestlers have demanded,” Thakur had stated.

After the federal government assuring the wrestlers that they’d have a say in deciding who occupies key posts within the new WFI govt committee, it was believed {that a} unanimous candidate could be nominated in every class, thus disposing of the necessity to have polls. However, candidates chosen by Brij Bhushan for the 15 posts have the backing of not less than 20 of the 25 state models.

Mental torture

Bajrang stated he reduce quick his coaching stint in Kyrgyzstan and returned to India on listening to about Brij Bhushan not backing down from fielding candidates of his selection for the elections.

“It has been mental torture for me and Vinesh. After calling off the protest, we wanted to give 100 percent to training. But how is that possible when we know that Brij Bhushan’s people could run the federation again. We have been talking to the government, the sports ministry and the Sport Authority of India to ensure that those close to Brij Bhushan are not part of the election process. After returning to India, a lot of my time has gone in meetings and phone calls. It is very difficult to focus on wrestling and training when the future of the sport in India is at stake,” Bajrang added.