From Protest To Polls: A Recap Of The 12 Months Turmoil In Wrestling Federation of India

Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's close associate Sanjay Singh was elected as the new president of the WFI on Thursday.

Following this, Sakshi Malik, India’s acclaimed wrestler, announced she will quit the sport in protest.

The elections took place after multiple delays amidst extensive protests by prominent Indian wrestlers, who had accused Brij Bhushan of sexual harassment.

Indian wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik began their protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar in January this year, after they accused Brij Bhushan of sexual exploitation and intimidation and demanded his resignation.

However, after a three-day protest, they called it off upon meeting with the sports minister, who announced the formation of an oversight committee to investigate the allegations and stated that Brij Bhushan would step down temporarily during the inquiry.

In April, Punia and Phogat pulled out of their training camp in protest of the sports ministry's delay in announcing the findings of the oversight committee's report, and returned to Jantar Mantar to restart their protest against the WFI chief.

The wrestlers moved to the Supreme Court seeking a direction to register an FIR against Singh. The apex court issued a notice to the Delhi Police in the matter.

Delhi police registered two FIRs against Singh in connection with sexual harassment allegations made by women wrestlers.

In May, the protesting wrestlers were detained by the Delhi police as they attempted to march towards the new Parliament building which was being inaugurated by PM Modi on the same day. The protest was suspended again after a meeting with the sports minister.

In light of the recurring delay in elections, the United World Wrestling suspended WFI in August. Finally the fresh elections were held on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Delhi Court will hear fresh arguments in sexual harassment case filed against Brij Bhushan Singh by six women wrestlers on January 4.