Wrestlers Protest vs WFI: Full timeline of Events as it happened

Wrestlers ended their protest after Anurag Thakur said that the WFI Chief would step down till the end of the investigation.

Here is a timeline of all the events that have taken place in the protest of the Wrestlers against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

January 18

The Gathering of India’s Top Wrestlers

Olympic Medalists Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, World Championship medalist Vinesh Phogat and many other wrestlers gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to make huge revelations about the Wrestling Federation of India during a press conference. Just before the conference, Bajrang revealed that the wrestlers couldn’t tolerate the ongoing dictatorship. Meanwhile, Sakshi stated that they have gathered to raise their issues.

The Assistant Secretary of the WFI, Vinod Tomar’s statement

Vinod stated that he was unaware of what this was about and came to know about the protest through the letter to the WFI President. He further added that the Federation will solve their problems if the wrestlers reach out to them.

Bajrang Punia’s statement

The multiple world championship medalist Punia stated that the federation harassed the wrestlers and the people who are a part of the committee don’t know anything about the sport. “We want the management of the Wrestling Federation of India to be changed. We hope the Prime Minister and Home Minister will support us,” he added.

Vinesh Phogat’s Huge Allegations

Vinesh made some shocking revelations during the press conference which highlighted harassment and misbehaviour with female wrestlers “Coaches are harassing women, and some coaches who are favorite of the federation misbehave with women coaches as well. They sexually harass girls. The WFI president has sexually harassed so many girls”, she revealed. Vinesh even disclosed that the president called her “Khota Sikka” post her Tokyo Olympics campaign. The organization tortured her mentally, and as a result, she even got suicidal thoughts.

Other wrestlers’ statement

According to the wrestlers, the federation has interfered in their personal lives and exploited them. During the time of the Tokyo Olympics, they weren’t accompanied by a physio or a coach.

The WFI President, Brij Bhusan’s statement

The WFI President questioned whether any problems with the federation have arisen in the last ten years. He added that issues have come to the forefront due to the introduction of new rules and regulations. Brij Bhusan even mentioned Vinesh’s incident which took place in Tokyo and questioned why she didn’t wear the costume with the company’s logo on it. He added that it was he who encouraged and motivated Phogat. He even dismissed all the sexual harassment allegations and stated that he would hang himself in such a scenario. However, he also specified that he was ready for the investigation.

Further statements from Bajrang, Sakshi and Vinesh

Bajrang, Sakshi and Vinesh all demanded the federation to change. Bajrang stated, “The girls here are from respectable families. If our sisters & daughters are not safe here then we cannot accept it.” “Whole federation should be removed so that the future of new wrestlers is safe. A new federation should come into existence. Dirt has spread from the lower level. We'll speak to PM & HM & reveal details. The investigation must be done on some matters,” said Sakshi.

Speaking about the evidence, Vinesh said, “We will present all evidence when the high court will direct us. We are also ready to submit all evidence to the PM. I know about 10-20 accounts of sexual harassment faced by women wrestlers." There has been the involvement of many coaches and referees too.

Chief Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), Swati Maliwal’s statement

After reaching Jantar Mantar, the DCW chief, Swati, said that the matter came as a shocker. "The women who've taken India to great heights have assembled in Jantar Mantar to ask for justice. It's shameful. We've sent notices to the Delhi police & Union sports ministry. Immediate justice should be served in this case. WFI President should be arrested & stern action should be taken against the coaches whose names have come up in the matter, " she added.

Some more statements by Brij

Brij stated that the sexual harassment charges had hurt him. “No player can bring those charges against me or the chief coach." He further mentioned that he had contributed to the Olympians’ success. “A week ago Bajrang and Sakshi met me, they had no problem earlier. Maybe, they didn't like some of the decisions I took as President but I only took those decisions in the interest of the sport,” he said.

“A few days ago, in a meeting, Vinesh demanded to change the chief coach. A coach can't be kept on the recommendation of one player. We've to think about players from other states also. They should've come with names of coaches involved in sexual harassment earlier", he added. A few days ago, there was a change in the wrestling body in Haryana and an elected body came up. "Some people formed a local federation under Sports minister & wrestler Babita Phogat & they wanted their selected candidates to be chosen for national tournaments. Sports ministry rejected it”, he further added.

Ministry of Sports demands explanation from the WFI

India’s Sports Ministry demanded the WFI to produce a response within the next 72 hours. Else, the Ministry will take strict action against the federation based on the provisions of the National Sports Development Code, 2011. In addition, the Ministry canceled the Women’s national wrestling coaching camp scheduled to take place at the SAI’s National Center of Excellence in Lucknow on January 18.

Wrestler Divya Kakran’s statement

The two-time Commonwealth Games bronze medalist, Divya Kakran, gave a statement which was completely opposite to her fellow wrestlers. She said that she never encountered any such experience while attending any of the camps conducted by the federation.

January 19

The day 2 began with a silent protest of the wrestlers, including Vinesh, Bajrang, Sakshi and others, sitting outside the Jantar Mantar in their fight against the WFI, their chief and all the members of the federation.

Statement of the Wrestling coach at Delhi's Chhatrasal Stadium

The Wrestling coach at Delhi's Chhatrasal Stadium, Praveen Dahiya said, “Sexual harassment allegations made by Vinesh (Phogat) are serious as no one says such things without a reason. Wrestlers want that the truth should come out after a fair probe.”

Arrival of Babita Phogat

The member of BJP and former champion wrestler Babita arrived at the protest area. According to Bajrang, she had come from the government’s side for mediating. As a result, they would talk to her and provide her with more details regarding the situation. Babita stated, “I have assured them that the government is with them. I will try that their issues are resolved today”.

Statement of Haryana’s Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar

The CM of Haryana, Manohar, said, “The safety of our women athletes is very important and we take it seriously. We will not let their morale down. All the issues raised by the athletes will be taken seriously.”

Statement of Vinesh Phogat’s uncle, Mahavir Phogat

Vinesh’s uncle, Mahavir, said, “A corrupt person should not continue on the post. A good wrestler or athlete should come, not a political person. If girls raise speak up, such threats can be averted in future”.

Statement of Union Minister of Sports, Anurag Thakur

The Union Sports Minister, Thakur said that the allegations leveled by the wrestlers are serious and the government of India has sent a notice to the WFI. He further added that he would try to meet the wrestlers after reaching Delhi and would talk and listen to them.

The President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), PT Usha’s tweet

“We request athletes to come forward & voice their concerns with us. We'll ensure a complete investigation to ensure justice. We also have decided to form a special committee to deal with such situations that may arise in future, for swifter action,” tweeted PT Usha.

Wrestlers’ meeting with Union Sports Ministry

Babita Phogat, Sakshee Malikkh, Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and other wrestlers arrived at the residence of the Union Sports Minister, Anurag Thakur relating to their protest and allegations against WFI around 10 pm, according to reports. They departed from the residence at around 2 am, as per sources.

January 20

Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshee Malik, Ravi Dahiya, and Deepak Punia wrote to PT Usha, the President of the IOA, about alleged sexual harassment charges against Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Saran Singh.

Bajrang Punia’s statement on Day Three

Bajrang stated that their fight was against the WFI and appealed to the PM, HM and Union Sports Ministry to hear their demands. The fight is for the young wrestlers who are the future of Wrestling.

Vinesh’s statement on Day Three

“We're presenting all issues. Had it been only about wrestling, matter would've been resolved in an hour-long meeting. But it's a big issue. It's not about just one but several girls. We can't disclose openly, we would be threatening their lives and families that way. We presented our issues before the Union Sports Minister. He has given us time to meet once again at 6pm. There were some issues on which we were dissatisfied" , the wrestler stated.

Urgent Executive Council Meeting of the IOA

The IOA’s emergency Executive Council meeting took place at 5:45 pm in the evening in the presence of IOA president PT Usha, Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra, bronze medalist and joint secretary Kalyan Chaubey. Shiva Keshvan, a member of the IOA Athletes Commission, took part in the conference as a special guest. Usha has promised that the panel will conduct a thorough investigation to ensure justice.Formation of a seven-member committee to probe sexual harassment allegations against WFI

During the Executive Council Meeting of IOA, there was a formation of a seven-member committee to investigate on the allegations of sexual harassment against WFI and its chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The members include legendary boxer Mary Kom, former archer Dola Banerjee, former shuttler Alaknanda Ashok, wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, Indian Weightlifting Federation of India (IWLF) president Sahdev Yadav, and committee’s two advocates Talish Ray and Shlok Chandra.

Protests called-off

Wrestlers called-off the protests after Brij Bhusan Sharan Singh stepped aside as the President for a month. Bajrang stated that the union Sports Minister has listened to their demands and has assured that there will be a proper investigation As a result, they were calling-off the protests.

Statement of the Union Sports Minister

Anurag Thakur said that the WFI Chief would step down till the end of the investigation and a committee would supervise the everyday activities of the federation.