WFI Election Timeline: A look at the events that happened after the Wrestling Federation of India elections

Indian Wrestling Federation is constantly in controversies. Ever since Sanjay Singh, an associate of former WFI chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, has been elected as the new president of WFI, the game has had to face serious consequences. Where first Sakshi Malik announced to leave wrestling by hanging his shoes during the press conference. Whereas Bajrang Punia had kept his Khel Ratna outside PM Modi’s residence.

A look at the entire incident

In January this year, several Indian wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Mali, had accused Brij Bhushan Saran Singh of sexual harassment and the wrestlers staged a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for months.

21 December- In the Indian Wrestling Federation elections, Brijbhushan Sharan Singh’s associate Sanjay Singh won, while former Commonwealth Games gold medalist Anita Sheoran had to face defeat by a margin of 40-7. Where Sanjay Singh was elected the new chief.

On the same day i.e. on 21st December, immediately after the appointment of Sanjay Singh, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik made a shocking announcement in the press conference. During this, Sakshi Malik cried and announced to quit wrestling.

In the same press conference, Vinesh Phogat says that the future of wrestling is bleak. He said, “It is sad that the future of wrestling is in darkness. To whom should we express our sorrow? We’re still fighting.”

22 December- Wrestler Bajrang Punia wrote a letter to PM Modi asking him to return his Padma Shri award. After this he was seen sitting outside PM Modi’s residence. Where he left his prize on the way. During this, Delhi Police stopped him. The Sports Ministry later said that returning the award was his personal decision. Sports Minister Anurag Thakur refused to comment on Bajrang returning his award.

23 December- Following the footsteps of Bajrang Punia, Deaflympics medalist Virendra Singh also decided to return his Padma Shri. During this, he wrote on X that, I will also return Padmashree for my sister and the daughters of the country. Honorable Prime Minister, I am proud of your daughter and my sister Sakshi Malik.

24 December- Sports Ministry suspended WFI until further notice. This announcement comes after the newly elected body made a hasty announcement of holding the U15 and U20 Nationals without giving the wrestlers enough time to prepare.

24 December- Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia welcomed the Sports Ministry’s decision to suspend the WFI. During this, Sakshi Malik said that this is the first step towards something good happening. I hope that the government will understand for what purpose we were fighting. Whereas Bajrang Punia says that he will not take back the Padmashree award. He said, “Now that I have returned it, I will not take it back. The respect of our sisters and daughters is bigger than any award.

24 December- The Sports Ministry directed the Indian Olympic Association to form an ad-hoc panel for the functioning of the federation.

26 December: Vinesh Phogat has also written a letter to PM Modi and said that she will return her award. He had posted on ‘X’ that, Sir, the value of our medals and awards is being reduced to Rs 15, but these medals are more precious to us than our lives. When we won medals for the country, the entire country celebrated us. Now when we raise our voice for justice, we are being called traitors. Prime Minister, I want to ask you, are we traitors?