The Sports Ministry of India has suspended the newly shaped WFI physique led by Sanjay Singh.

On account of transparency and different points, the motion has been taken.

The motion takes place proper after the newly elected Wrestling Federation of India’s President Sanjay Singh introduced that the U-15 and U-20 Nationals would happen in Gonda.

The WFI elections have been held on December 21 with former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s loyalist, Sanjay Singh, and his panel profitable the polls by large margins.

“The new physique has not adopted the WFI structure. We haven’t terminated the Federation however suspended until additional orders. They simply have to observe the due course of and the foundations,” a sports activities ministry official acknowledged.

The alleged reasons for Sanjay Singh’s suspension were also explained.

“Sanjay Kumar Singh, newly-elected president of WFI announced on 21.12.2023, the day he was elected as president, that U-15 and U-20 nationals for Wrestling will take place in Nandini Nagar, Gonda (UP) before the end of this year.

“This announcement is hasty, without giving sufficient notice to wrestlers who are to take part in the said nationals and without following the provisions of the constitution of WFI.

“As per clause 3 (e) of preamble of constitution of WFI, object of the WFI, among others, is to arrange holding of Senior, Junior and Sub Junior National Championships as per UWW Rules at places selected by the Executive Committee,” stated the ministry’s supply.

Sanjay Singh’s rise to energy

Sanjay Singh on Thursday grew to become the brand new President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) together with his panel comfortably profitable a lot of the posts within the delayed polls as outgoing chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh gained oblique management over the sports activities physique.

Sanjay, who was the UP Wrestling Association Vice President, secured 40 votes as he dominated the polls over his rival Anita Sheoran, who may safe solely a mere seven votes.

READ: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh Loyalist Sanjay Singh Becomes New WFI President

The end result of the polls have been a supply of main disappointment for wrestlers such because the likes of Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik as the sensation that their protest towards Brij Bhushan has come to naught as they may not get the fraternity behind them regardless of aggressively pushing for a change of guard, as now a detailed affiliate of the BJP MP is on the helm once more.

Former WFI President Brij Bhushan Singh was accused of sexually harassing girls wrestlers, together with juniors. The aforementioned wrestlers managed to mobilise big help from totally different sections of society to struggle again towards him attaining energy within the WFI however the protest fizzled out the day they deliberate a march in the direction of new Parliament constructing on May 28 when Delhi police eliminated all of the protesters from Jantar Mantar for rioting.

Anurag Thakur assured them that not one of the members of the family or shut associates of Brij Bhushan might be allowed to enter the WFI election fray. But alas, that doesn’t appear to have been the case.

Brij Bhushan Singh’s Retort After Victory

Shortly after his shut assist, Sanjay Singh, gained the elections, former chief Brij Bhushan proclaimed, “dabdaba tha, dabdaba rahega (dominance was there earlier than and it’ll proceed now).”

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said that this was not his “personal victory but the victory of the wrestlers of the country”.

Meanwhile, after profitable the elections, Sanjay Singh stated that the results of the federation’s presidential polls is a victory of reality over lies. Referring to Brij Bhushan, he stated an try was made to hurt the popularity of an individual who really had a spotless character, NDTV stated.

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, whereas speaking to the press after his aide Sanjay Singh’s win, stated that he didn’t let anybody from his household contest the WFI elections. “The federation chosen a candidate and I had stated this earlier than that we’ve got big majority, and that’s precisely the way it turned out as we obtained 40 out of 47 seats.”

Meanwhile, addressing a press conference after the declaration of Sanjay Singh’s victory in the presidential polls, wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat broke down and said that they will continue their fight. Sakshi Malik, on live television, said that she would give up wrestling.

Wrestler’s Response to Sanjay Singh’s appointment

Wrestler Bajrang Punia said, “Union sports minister had said on record that no one associated with Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh will be allowed to fight the election. The person who won the elections of WFI is an aide of Brij Bhushan. I suspect that they will now save him from the case as well but I have faith in our courts and hope he will be punished by law.”

ALSO READ: ‘None Of Us Are Safe Now’: Protesting Wrestlers Disappointed With Brij Bhushan’s Aide Winning WFI Polls

Wrestler Sakshi Malik additionally expressed dismay saying that the guarantees made by the federal government haven’t been fulfilled.

“We have made calls for for a lady president. If the president could be a girl, harassment wouldn’t occur. But, there was no participation of ladies earlier and in the present day you’ll be able to see the checklist, not even a single girl was given a place. We had fought with full energy however this struggle will proceed. The wrestlers of the brand new era must struggle,” she said.

Malik also added that she will not play the sport anymore.

“If Brij Bhushan Singh’s business partner and a close aide is elected as the president of WFI, I quit wrestling,” she stated.

And that’s precisely what transpired.

Sakshi Malik’s Retirement from Wrestling

Sakshi took the huge choice to name it quits from wrestling as soon as and afor all after Sanjay Singh’s victory within the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) presidential elections.

Sakshi eliminated her footwear and put them on the dais earlier than leaving the press convention in tears.

ALSO READ: Sakshi Malik Announces Retirement From Wrestling After Sanjay Singh Becomes WFI President

“I’m dejected and I cannot be competing in wrestling anymore,” an emotional Sakshi said.

She then thanked the people who came in their support during the protest but decided to quit wrestling.

“We slept for 40 days on the roads and a lot of people from several parts of the country came to support us. If Brij Bhushan Singh’s business partner and a close aide is elected as the president of WFI, I quit wrestling…” she added.

“We needed a feminine president however that didn’t occur,” the 31-year-old, who is also a CWG gold medallist, added.

Bajrang and Vinesh Phogat, who addressed media after elections, did not say whether they will retire from the sport.

“It’s unfortunate that government did not stand by its word that no Brij Bhushan loyalist will contest WFI election,” Bajrang stated.

“Upcoming girls wrestlers may even face exploitation,” Vinesh added.

Commenting on Sakshi Malik’s decision about quitting wrestling, former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh told ANI that he has nothing to do with it.

Bajrang Punia Rescinds His Padma Shri In Protest

Olympic-medalist grappler Bajrang Punia has decided to return his Padma Shri award to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Sanjay Singh became the new WFI President.

Bajrang posted a note on social media to the Prime Minister and announced his big decision.

ALSO READ: Bajrang Punia Returns Padma Shri Award After Sanjay Singh Becomes WFI President

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bajrang wrote: “Dear PM Ji, hope your health is well. You must be busy in many work but I am writing this to draw your attention to the wrestlers of the country.

“You must be aware that the women wrestlers of the country started a protest in January this year against Brij Bhushan Singh accusing him of sexual harassment. I too joined their protest. The protest stopped after the government promised strong action.”

Expressing his disappointment, the star wrestler added, “But there was no FIR towards Brij Bhushan even after three months. We once more took to the streets in April in order that the police not less than file an FIR towards him.

“There have been 19 complainants in January however the quantity got here right down to 7 by April. This means Brij Bhushan exerted his affect on 12 girls wrestlers.”