Lucknow: Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has responded to the wrestlers’ protest and threat to immerse their medals in the Ganges as a mark of protest against him. He said that the Delhi Police are investigating the charges against him. He also said appropriate actions would be taken if the allegations were true.
He acknowledged that the decision of the wrestlers to discard their medals in the river was a stand they have chosen to take. Meanwhile, the wrestlers, including Olympians Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat, arrived in Haridwar intending to immerse their medals in the sacred Ganges.
In response to the wrestlers’ protest, a five-day ultimatum was issued to the authorities demanding action against the WFI chief. Expressing their disillusionment, they stated that the medals they earned for the country no longer hold any significance for them. They expressed their intention to discard the medals in the Ganges as a symbolic act, believing that the sacred river is a more fitting place for them than a system that they feel has failed them.
The United World Wrestling (UMW) also released a statement about this incident. The UWW expressed deep disappointment and concern over the temporary detention of the wrestlers at their protest site, the historic Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The governing body pledged its continued collaboration with the Wrestling Federation of India to address any issues and promote a culture of respect, transparency, and fairness within the sport.