By Prema Sridevi

https://youtu.be/NM0sqGjhSSQ

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) dissolved the ad-hoc committee for wrestling on Monday, citing its redundancy following the reinstatement of the national federation. The ad-hoc committee was established after the sports ministry suspended the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). However, with the lifting of the suspension imposed by the global governing body, United World Wrestling, the WFI received a much-needed boost. The latest decision reinstates the WFI's control over wrestling in India, led by Sanjay Kumar Singh under the influence of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Despite numerous allegations of sexual harassment against Brij Bhushan, the new developments once again places him unofficially at the helm of wrestling affairs in India.

In January 2023, a seismic wave of protest surged through the heart of New Delhi as top Indian wrestlers voiced their demand for a thorough investigation into allegations of sexual harassment of women wrestlers by BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who then served as President of the Wrestling Federation of India. Jantar Mantar became the epicentre of this movement, with top players like Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, and Bajrang Punia amongst others taking a stand against WFI through a sit-in protest. Despite initial promises from the government to address the issue, concrete action, including the lodging of FIRs, only came through in the case following the Supreme Court's intervention. Eventually, the IOA stepped in, dissolving the WFI's executive body and installing an ad-hoc committee to oversee operations. Now, with the dissolution of this ad-hoc committee, WFI, under the continued influence of Brij Bhushan's confidante Sanjay Singh, regains full control over wrestling in India.

"The betrayal felt by women wrestlers in India is so deep and this is compounded by what seems like a calculated disregard from both the government and revered sporting figures, like PT Usha" says Chander Shekhar Luthra, a seasoned sports journalist. "While the political manoeuvring ahead of elections might explain the government's lacklustre response, the silence of PT Usha, a legendary sporting icon and President of the Indian Olympic Association is deeply disappointing.

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