A number of Indian wrestlers expressed their approval of the action, but others felt that the national government ought to have stepped in far sooner.
They stated that because the nation’s wrestling organization had broken the rules, it ought to have taken strong measures against it.
Why is this story important?
The Center took action after the Singh-led WFI declared on Thursday that the national wrestling events for under-20 (U-20) and under-15 (U-15) would take place in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, before the end of 2023.
But because the action was done without consulting the Executive Committee—a violation of the WFI constitution—the Sports Ministry called it “hurried.”
In addition, there was opposition to Singh’s appointment to the WFI. Singh was a close assistant of the former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was charged with harassing female wrestlers sexually.
Hope ray: Geeta Phogat on suspension from WFI
Gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games, Geeta Phogat, responded to the news on X by expressing her belief that wrestlers will eventually receive justice.
The Indian Wrestling Federation has been suspended by the Ministry of Sports. There is still hope that wrestlers will receive justice, despite the fact that it is late,” she continued.
Recall that in 2023, a number of prominent wrestlers, including Olympic medallists Sakshee Malikkh and Bajrang Punia, staged a five-month-long protest against Brij Bhushan. They were also against Singh taking over as head of the WFI.
Remembering Punia and Malikkh’s demonstrations following the WFI elections
Reacting to Singh’s victory in the WFI election last week, professional wrestler Malikkh declared she was leaving the sport.
Gold medallist Vinesh Phogat of the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games stated during a press conference that harassment of female wrestlers would persist under the new WFI regulations.
Wrestler Punia disclosed on Friday that, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he was surrendering his Padma Shri award in protest.
Vijender Singh’s response to the Center’s most recent action
Vijender Singh, a former professional boxer from India and current Congress leader, also shared his opinions on the Center’s decision on Sunday.
He added that far sooner the Center ought to have applied pressure to the recently established WFI regulatory board.
“They forced the guy to return the Padma Shri, the woman to give up wrestling, and the wrestling association to be suspended. “More action ought to have been taken sooner,” the Olympic medallist tweeted.