WFI Election Row Highlights: Amid huge outcry over the election of Sanjay Singh, close aide of sexual harassment accused Brij Bhushan Singh, as the WFI President, Sports Ministry suspended the Wrestling Federation of India on Sunday.
The announcement came after the newly-elected body made a "hasty announcement" of organising the U-15 and U-20 nationals "without following due procedure and not giving sufficient notice to wrestlers" for preparations.
After the suspension of the wrestling body, the Sports Ministry asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form an ad-hoc panel to manage and execute the roles and function of WFI. On the same day, former WFI chief and sexual harassment accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh announced his resignation from wrestling after meeting with BJP chief JP Nadda. However, the BJP MP clarified that his meeting with JP Nadda has got nothing to do with the suspension of the wrestling body.
Meanwhile, the recently elected President of the WFI (now suspended) Sanjay Singh that he will talk to the centre, sports ministry and PM Modi in the matter and prove that no rules were violated.
'WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: Sanjay Singh should do his work…' says Brij Bhushan
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates:Former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh says "Whatever I had to say, I said yesterday. I have taken retirement from wrestling and the politics related to wrestling. As far as meeting Union HM Amit Shah is concerned, even if we meet, I will not discuss wrestling. Sanjay Singh should do his work, I am doing my work. The wrestling issue is between the government and the elected federation, I have nothing to do with this..."
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: Decision to suspend WFI not taken under any pressure: UP BJP chief
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: Defending the suspension of the newly-elected WFI, Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary on Sunday asserted that the Union Sports Ministry's action was not due to pressure from anyone and it followed due process.
The Sports Ministry earlier in the day suspended the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) till further orders after it made a "hasty announcement" of organising the U-15 and U-20 nationals "without following due procedure and not giving sufficient notice to wrestlers" for preparations.
The WFI elections were held on December 21 with former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's loyalist Sanjay Singh and his panel winning the polls by big margins. This had prompted protests by wrestlers who had earlier levelled allegations of sexual harassment against Brij Bhushan.
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: 'Don't want any honour till sisters, daughters get justice': Bajrang on taking back Padma Shri
Olympic medalist Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia on Sunday said that he will not take back his Padma Shri award that he returned to the government until justice is given to his "sisters and daughters" fighting against sexual harassment and their perpetrators.
Bajrang's tweet comes after a major decision in light of fresh protests by star wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Punia over the election of an aide of deposed Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh as the new president of the wrestling federation.
However, the Union Sports Ministry on Sunday suspended the sport's premier governing body in the country along with all its office-bearers.
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: ‘Govt needs to be clear’: BKU's Yudhvir Singh on suspension of newly elected body of WFI
Bhartiya Kisan Union leader Yudhvir Singh criticised the Union Sports Ministry's decision to suspend newly elected body of Wrestling Federation of India while demanding clarity on the matter.
"Even now a clear decision from govt hasn't come, govt is talking about suspension. Govt needs to be clear. We want to hear that this election has been cancelled, what is this suspension?," Singh said while speaking to reporters in Delhi.
In a major decision, coming in light of fresh protests by star wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia over the election of an aide of deposed WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh as the new president of the wrestling federation, the Union Sports Ministry earlier in the day suspended the sport's premier governing body in the country along with all its office-bearers.
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: ‘Our fight is not with govt…,’ wrestler Sakshee Malikkh hints at a possible return
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: Reacting to the sports ministry's action against the newly elected Wrestling Federation of India, former Indian wrestler Sakshee Malikkh Sunday said the government’s decision to suspend the WFI is for the betterment of the wrestlers. She also dropped a hint about a possible change in her decision to retire, news agency ANI reported. Read more here
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: From WFI suspension to Brij Bhushan's retirement, what has happened so far
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: On Sunday the centre suspended the Wrestling Federation of India for ‘violating norms’ while announcing the organisation of upcoming wrestling nationals. Later in the day, former WFI chief and sexual harassment accused Sanjay Singh announced his retirement from managing any affair related to wrestling. The centre also asked the IOA to form an ad-hoc panel to replace the suspended WFI. (Read full story)
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: Fight is for the sisters, daughters of the country, Sakshee Mallikh
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: One of India's top wrestlers Sakshee Malikh applauded the decision of the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India.
"It is the first step towards something good happening. I hope the government understands more for what cause we were fighting," said Sakshi Malik.
"If a woman federation president is there, it will be better for the safety of women wrestlers. It was a fight for sisters and daughters of the country," she added.
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: Sports Ministry writes to IOA to form the panel at earliest
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: The sports ministry on Sunday suspended the Wrestling Federation of India. Later, the ministry wrote letter to the IOA to form the panel at the earliest.
"... Taking note of the compelling current situation arising out of the influence and control of the WFI's former office bearers, serious concerns have arisen about the governance and integrity of the WFI," said the letter signed by Tarun Pareek, under secretary to the Government of India.
"This requires for immediate and stringent corrective measures to uphold the principles of good governance in sports organizations, and thus, now it becomes incumbent on part of the IOA to to make suitable arrangements for the interim for managing the affairs of WFI so that sportspersons of wrestling discipline do not suffer in any manner and the principle of good governance in the sports body do not get jeopradised," he said in the letter addressed to IOA President PT Usha.
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: Decision to suspend WFI not taken under pressure, says UP BJP chief
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: Defending the suspension of the newly-elected WFI, Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary on Sunday asserted that the Union Sports Ministry's action was not due to pressure from anyone and it followed due process.
Defending the suspension of the newly-elected WFI, Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary on Sunday asserted that the Union Sports Ministry's action was not due to pressure from anyone and it followed due process.
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: ‘We are seeking time from the sports minister’, Sanjay Singh after the suspension of WFI
"We are seeking time from the sports minister and request that the suspension be lifted. If the issue is not resolved through dialogue, we could explore legal options," Sanjay Singh told PTI.
"We will explain that we have followed rules in taking decisions. We will present the proofs. Whatever decisions were taken, were taken by consensus. It was not my personal decision. 24 state associations had given affidavits and we have got e-mails, we have everything in writing," the sports administrator added.
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: Will think about it only after justice is delivered, Bajrang Punia on taking back Padma Shri
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: After the suspension of WFI by the sports ministry, ace wrestler Bajrang Punia made it clear that he will think about taking back Padma Shri only after justice is delivered. On Friday, the Olympic winner has announced that he would return the Padma Shri award to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Later he kept it on a footpath after Delhi Police stopped him his way to the PM's residence. (Read full story)
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: We want to hear this election has been cancelled, what is this suspension, says BKU leader Yudhvir Singh
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: On the suspension of newly-elected Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) by the sports ministry, Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Yudhvir Singh said that a clear decision from government hasn't come and the government needs to give clear decision.
"Even now a clear decision from govt hasn't come, govt is talking about suspension. Govt needs to be clear. We want to hear that this election has been cancelled, what is this suspension?" he said.
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: Decision to suspend WFI taken under pressure, says Congress leader
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: The announcement to suspend Wrestling Federation of India was taken by the central government under pressure mounted by top wrestlers like Sakshee Mallikh and Bajrang Punia, Congress leader Udit Raj said on Sunday.
"Medal surrendered by Shakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia has mounted pressure on the Sports Ministry to suspend the recently held WFI election, its welcome but justice has not meted out to the victims," Congress leader Udit Raj said in a post on X.
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: 'If the issue is not resolved through dialogue, will explore legal options,' Sanjay Singh after the suspension of WFI
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: After the suspension of Wrestling Federation of India, president of the now-suspended wrestling body, Sanjay Singh said that they are trying to seek time from the sports minister and request the suspension to be lifted.
"We are seeking time from the sports minister and request that the suspension be lifted. If the issue is not resolved through dialogue, we could explore legal options," Sanjay Singh told PTI.
He also talked about presenting the proofs and explaining to the government that they didn't break any rules.
"We will explain that we have followed rules in taking decisions. We will present the proofs. Whatever decisions were taken, were taken by consensus. It was not my personal decision. 24 state associations had given affidavits and we have got e-mails, we have everything in writing," the sports administrator added.
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: ‘A ray of hope has arisen..,’ Olympian Geeta Phogat after the suspension of WFI
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: After the suspension of wrestling federation of India by the sports ministry, Olympian Geeta Phogat expressed hope for justice.
“Sports Ministry suspends Indian Wrestling Association. Even though it is late, a ray of hope has definitely arisen that the wrestlers will get justice," wrote Geeta Phogat on X. (Read full story)
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: ‘Yes there was a bond between us, but..,’ Sanjay Singh on link with former WFI chief Brij Bhushan
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: After the suspension of Wrestling Federation of India, Sanjay Singh said that the new federation was formed after Brij Bhushan was sent off. He also said that Brij Bhushan Singh and Sanjay Singh come from different community and are not relative, however, the two shared a close bond with each other.
"When New Federation was formed, he (Brijbhushan Singh) was sent off and today he told that he has retired from wrestling, Sakshee Malikkh has also retired, both of them have retired, so now both should let the federation run peacefully. He and I are from different community then how can we be relatives? When he was the president of the federation, I was joint secretary. Yes there was a bond and friendship at that time between us," he said on Sunday.
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: 'We will speak to the centre, and PM Modi..' says president of suspended WFI Sanjay Singh
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: After the suspention of newly elected body of Wrestling Federation of India, WFI chief Sanjay Singh said that they will talk with the central government, PM Modi and Sports Minister.
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: Govt asks Indian Olympic Association to form panel for running wrestling body
Hours after suspending the newly-formed Wrestling Federation of India, the Centre has asked Indian Olympic Association to form panel for running the wrestling body. The development comes as several questions were raised about the members of WFI and their proximity to former WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is accused of sexual harassment by India's ace wrestlers. (Read full story)
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: Meeting with JP Nadda has got nothing to do with WFI suspension
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: After meeting BJP chief JP Nadda, BJP MP Brij Bhushan said that there was no discussion related to the suspension of the newly-formed body.
"Look, he is my leader. I will meet him, keep meeting him. But it had got nothing to do with this (wrestling issue)," said Brij Bhushan, whose WFI was replaced by an IOA-constituted ad-hoc committee on orders from the ministry.
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: Sports Ministry asks Indian Olympic Association to form ad-hoc committee to manage wrestling body functions
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: After the suspension of wrestling federation of India, the centre has formed an ad-hoc committee to manage functions of the Wrestling Federation of India.
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: Sports ministry asks IOA to form ad-hoc committee to execute WFI functions
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: After the suspension of Wrestling Federation of India, the Union Sports Ministry has asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to create an ad-hoc committee to manage and control the affairs of wrestling federation of India, reporte ANI citing sources.
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: Sharad Pawar's NCP calls WFI suspension by the centre ‘farce’
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: The suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India by the Union sports ministry was a farce, the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress party said on Sunday.
The party also said that the BJP can't absolve itself from the accusations of not helping women wrestlers.
Earlier in the day, the sports ministry suspended the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) till further orders after the newly-elected body made a "hasty announcement" of organising the U-15 and U-20 nationals "without following due procedure and not giving sufficient notice to wrestlers" for preparations.
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: ‘Our fight is not with govt...’: Former wrestler Sakshi Malik
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: Wrestler Sakshee Malikhh denied to comment on the suspension of Wrestling Federation of India before seeing any official document related to it. Meanwhile, she expressed concern for the young women wrestlers after the announcement of upcoming wrestling nationals in Nandini Nagar in the Gond district of Uttar Pradesh by the end of the year.
Former wrestler Sakshi Malik stated that she has not seen any in writtcen about the suspension of newly elected body of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) or Sanjay Singh, adding that wrestlers fight is not with the government.
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: I am done with wrestling, Brij Bhushan on WFI suspension
Whatever has to be done with regards to wrestling, it will be done by new body. I have nothing to do with it, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh told PTI after meeting JP Nadda.
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: 'Will be away from the politics of this sport' Brij Bhushan after meeting JP Nadda
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: After meeting JP Nadda, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said that he will stay away from the politics of sport. Whatever has to be done with regards to wrestling, it will be done by new body. I have nothing to do with it, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh told PTI.
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: Worried about the future of young wrestlers, Sakshee Malikkh
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: Ace wrestler Sakshee Malikkh on Sunday expressed her worry over the organisation of wrestling camps at same locations in Lucknow and Nanni Nagar.
"I have not seen anything in writing yet. I don't know whether only Sanjay Singh has been suspended or the entire body has been suspended...Our fight was not with the government. Our fight is for women wrestlers, I have announced my retirement but want that the upcoming wrestlers should get justice," she told reporters.
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: Elections held in a democratic way, says former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: Reacting to the suspension of newly-elected sports body, former WFI chief and sexual harassment accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said that the elections were held in a democratic way on the direction of the Supreme Court.
“The elections were held in a democratic way on the direction of the Supreme Court and the body was formed. Now it's their (federation members) decision if they wish to talk to the govt or take the legal course of action. I have nothing to do with this," he said.
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: 'Worked 12 years for the wrestlers, time will tell if..'
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: After the suspension of the newly-elected wrestling body, WFI chief BrijBhushan Sharan Singh said that he has worked for the wrestlers for last 12 years and only time will tell he has done justice with the sport or not.
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: Sanjay Singh is not my relative, Brij Bhushan on the suspension of WFI
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: After the Union Sports Ministry suspends the newly elected body of the Wrestling Federation of India, former WFI chief and sexual harrasment accused Brij Bhushan said, “Sanjay Singh is not my relative. The announcement to hold U-15 and U-20 nationals in Nandini Nagar was to ensure sports events should resume."
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: Happened for the betterment of the wrestlers, Sakshee Malikkh on the suspension of WFI
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: On suspension of the newly elected body of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) by Union Sports Ministry, Wrestler Sakshee Malikkh called the decision to be a good news for the wrestlers. "This has happened for the betterment of the wrestlers. We had been saying that this was the fight of the daughters and sisters. This is the first step. I will tell you about the decision according to the federation that would be formed," she told ANI.
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: BJP chief JP Nadda calls former WFI President Brij Bhushan Singh for meeting
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: After the suspension of Wrestling Federation of India, BJP chief JP Nadda has called former WFI President Brij Bhushan for meeting, reported PTI.
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: Sports Ministry suspends WFI
WFI Election Row LIVE Updates: Sports Ministry on Sunday suspended the newly-elected Wrestling Federation of India for not following rules.