'Fight Will Continue in Court, Not on Streets': Wrestlers Call Off Protest

Digital Desk: The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been accused of sexual harassment by several of the country's top wrestlers. More than five months after the allegations were made, the wrestlers decided to put a stop to the protest and battle it out in court.

The statement was made on Twitter by renowned wrestler Sakshi Malik. She stated that "battle will continue in court".

A charge sheet would be filed against Brij Bhushan Singh by June 15,  promised to the wrestlers at a meeting with the government. The protest has been called off since the chargesheet was filed in court on June 15, Sakshi said.

"With regard to the reform of the wrestling association, the process of election of the new wrestling association has started as promised. The election is scheduled to be held on July 11, but we will wait for its implementation," she added.

Based on a petition filed by the Assam Wrestling Association (AWA) against the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) ad hoc panel, the Sports Ministry, and the WFI, the Gauhati High Court on Sunday stayed the wrestling body elections.

Top Olympians Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia demanded Singh's arrest on claims of sexual harassment made against seven wrestlers, including the minor.

The police, however, recommended cancellation upon the minor wrestler's accusation against Singh, citing a lack of "corroborative evidence." Singh also refuted all of the accusations made against him by the wrestlers.

When Satyawart Kadian, a wrestler, and Malik's husband, was questioned about their plans last week, he responded, "We are still talking about it. We'll let you know.

Additionally, the wrestlers recommended that an Internal Complaints Committee of WFI headed by a woman be formed. Anurag Thakur, the Union Sports Minister, unanimously endorsed each of these suggestions.