Protest has personal, hidden agenda to dislodge current management of WFI: Federation

The WFI sent its reply on Friday evening after being asked by the sports ministry to respond to the allegations within 72 hours

Hours after top Indian wrestlers called off their protest following assurances from the government, the first step was to temporarily sideline under-fire Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the federation on Saturday rejected all allegations including that of sexual harassment against Singh. The WFI alleged that the wrestlers' protest was motivated by a "hidden agenda to dislodge the current management".

The WFI denied the charges in responding to the government's notice and asserted that "there is no scope for arbitrariness and mismanagement" in the federation. The Sports Ministry had sought an explanation from WFI, which sent its reply on Friday evening. The wrestlers, who had alleged that the federation chief sexually harassed women wrestlers and acts like a "dictator", called off their protest after the government announced that it will form an oversight committee to probe the charges. It also said the WFI chief will step aside till the investigation is over.

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In its reply, the WFI said that under the sitting president, it has always acted keeping the best interests of wrestlers in mind. "The WFI has enhanced the image of wrestling sport nationally as well as internationally and for the record of this ministry, it is not possible without fair, supportive, clean and strict management of WFI," it added. The allegations were made by renowned wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Ravi Dahiya.

The federation brought to the notice of the government that it has a five-member sexual harassment committee in place, chaired by its secretary general V N Prasood and which also has Sakshi as a member. It said the charges were "motivated, biased, unfounded, untrue and false" and that the allegations were made solely with a view to harm the president, the WFI and its coaches.

The WFI listed 23 national events conducted in 2022 and claimed it "speaks of fair, supportive, clean and strict management". The WFI questioned the timing of the protest and said vested interests are behind it. "The protesting wrestlers are accountable to explain for themselves, to the public as well as the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, particularly when mostly the protestors are seen coming together from a particulars region/state of Haryana," the federation wrote.

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"It would also be worth drawing attention that even the next election of WFI is due in near future of 2023... that the protest is not in the best interest of the wrestlers, it has some personal as well as hidden agenda to dislodge the current management of WFI."

The letter, signed by WFI secretary general V N Prasood, also said that the federation is ready to cooperate with the government and will provide all the necessary information the ministry seeks.

Meanwhile, Union minister V K Singh said that sometimes the allegations levelled by some people are serious, but in some instances the intention behind the charges is "something else", which needs to be checked.