World Wrestling Body Condemns Action Against Wrestlers, Demands Action Against WFI Chief Brij Bhushan

The United World Wrestling (UWW) has issued a statement condemning the detention of wrestlers during a march to the new Parliament building on Sunday.

The wrestlers have been holding protests in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who they have accused of sexual harassment.

UWW has also expressed 'disappointment over the lack of results of the investigations" against the federation chief and threatened to suspend the federation if its elections are not held within 45 days, said a report in NDTV.

The report quoting the UWW statement said: “UWW firmly condemns the treatment and detention of the wrestlers. It expresses its disappointment over the lack of results of the investigations so far. UWW urges the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the allegations.”

"UWW will request further information about the next elective general assembly from the 10A 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. It is reminded that UWW already took a measure in this situation by reallocating the Asian Championship planned in New Delhi earlier this year," it added.

"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 stated further.

"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," it added.

Meanwhile, the protesting wrestlers on Tuesday gathered at Haridwar to immerse their medals in the Ganga as a mark of protest against the federation chief.

However, they decided to push back their plan to consign their laurels to the waters and issued a five-day ultimatum instead to the Centre to act on their demand following talks with farmer leader Naresh Tikait.
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