Brij Bhusan Singh Says Wrestling Activities Must Continue, Ready to Step Down

NEW DELHI: Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Singh, who is in the eye of a storm over sexual harassment charges, on Monday said he is ready to be hanged but wrestling activity should not stop, while pointing out that wrestling activities have come to a halt owing to protests in the last four months.

Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia and several other top wrestlers have been seeking Brij Bhushan Singh's arrest and ouster from the federation through protests organised at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.

After several wrestlers came out in protest accusing the WFI chief of sexually exploiting women grapplers, all wrestling activities, including championships and camps, have come to a standstill.

Stopping the sport’s activity is detrimental to the cadet and junior wrestlers, said Brij Bhushan Singh, who faces two FIRs.

"Don't play with the future of children. Allow the cadet nationals to take place. Whosoever organises it, be it the government or the WFI, don't stop the wrestling activity," the federation chief told reporters.

Brij Bhushan Singh, who had earlier remained defiant of not quitting his post, said he was ready to resign if it would mean the protesters would go back home and sleep in peace. However, the protesting wrestlers are standing their ground, saying the stir will continue till action is taken against Singh.

Protests against the WFI chief was first started by top wrestlers in January, while accusing him of sexual exploitation and intimidation. The wrestlers’ demand is that WFI should be disbanded and its president removed from his post. An oversight committee headed by boxing great MC Mary Kom was then formed by the sports ministry on January 23. The committee was asked it to submit its findings in one month. However, the government has not yet made the findings public.

Last Friday, the Delhi Police had registered two FIRs over sexual harassment charges levelled by several women wrestlers against Brij Bhushan Singh. The first one pertains to allegations levelled by a minor victim, which has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, along with relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code concerning outraging of modesty.

The second FIR has been registered for carrying out comprehensive investigations into the complaints tendered by other adult complainants under relevant sections pertaining to outraging of modesty.

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