Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia has insisted that the protesting wrestlers, who’ve made sexual harassment expenses in opposition to Wrestling Federation of India president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, need a nominee of their selection within the probe panel set by Sports activities Ministry.
Talking to The Indian Categorical, Bajrang mentioned, “The ladies wrestlers who’ve confronted sexual harassment are prepared to speak to the Oversight Committee provided that the particular person we advise is added to the committee. It is a delicate difficulty they usually have to be assured {that a} truthful probe can be performed.”
Through the assembly with the sports activities minister Anurag Thakur late on Friday, the names of members of the committee weren’t agreed upon and the wrestlers had been advised to take ‘two to 3 days’ to debate amongst themselves and counsel their nominee.
“There was a dialogue (with the sports activities minister on Friday) and after that, we advised the sports activities minister to offer us time. We mentioned we might speak amongst ourselves as a result of we are able to’t instantly resolve who we would like on the committee. We respect everybody named on the committee, they’re additionally sportspersons and we aren’t discovering fault with them. However this is a matter associated to women and a really delicate difficulty. We want somebody who we are able to belief absolutely within the Oversight Committee,” Bajrang mentioned. He went on so as to add that they had been shocked when sports activities minister Thakur introduced the names of the committee members on Tuesday.
Olympic medallist-boxer Mary Kom heads the committee which additionally consists of Olympic medallist-wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, former badminton participant and Mission Olympic Cell member Trupti Murgunde, former CEO of the Goal Olympic Podium Scheme Rajesh Rajagopalan, and former Sports activities Authority of India govt director (groups) Radhica Sreeman.
“Mary Kom’s identify was mentioned (on the assembly on Friday), Radhica madam’s identify was mentioned and the (former) TOPs CEO’s identify was mentioned. However nothing was agreed upon. We mentioned that we are going to not take any speedy resolution. We had been advised that we are going to be consulted earlier than the members of the committee had been finalised. After that, there was no communication from the minister or anybody after which we heard that the committee members had been named,” mentioned Bajrang, who confirmed that fellow-wrestler Yogeshwar’s identify was not mentioned on the assembly.
The protest by the wrestlers, together with Rio Olympics bronze medalist Sakshi Malik and two-time World Championship bronze medalist Vinesh Phogat at Jantar Mantar in Delhi was referred to as off final Friday after the wrestlers held a five-hour assembly with Thakur, who promised them that the allegations could be investigated.
The Oversight Committee is in control of operating the day-to-day affairs of the WFI and Singh has stepped apart for a month until the probe is accomplished.
The wrestlers don’t need the committee already named by the sports activities minister to be disbanded. However they’re hoping that the sports activities minister will agree so as to add their selection of a member to the committee once they meet for talks post-Republic Day.
“We hope that there can be a good probe and we belief the federal government. Tomorrow is January 26. It’s a proud day for the nation. We don’t need to take any steps as a result of it’s a massive day. We don’t need to protest or say something which may paint a detrimental image on Republic day. We, wrestlers, combat for the glory of the nation. We hope to speak to the sports activities minister once more after Republic Day. At the moment, we’re sad with what has occurred,” Bajrang mentioned.
Final week, accusing Brij Bhushan of sexual harassment, Vinesh had mentioned, “Ladies wrestlers have been sexually harassed at nationwide camps by coaches and in addition the WFI president. Among the coaches appointed at nationwide camps have been sexually harassing ladies wrestlers for years. The WFI president can also be concerned in sexual harassment.”