Ongoing Protests Against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• About Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)
• WFI’s Contract System for Wrestlers
• Why are India’s Top Wrestlers Protesting?
• What are the Protesting Wrestlers Demanding?
• How has the WFI Responded to the Protests?
• What Measures has the Central Government Taken? What are the Findings of the Oversight Committee?
• Way Ahead

Why in News?

• Many of India’s top wrestlers are sitting in protest in New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, demanding action against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Saran Singh.

About Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)

• Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is a governing body of wrestling.
• It was founded in 1958 and is based in New Delhi.
• It promotes wrestling players for the Olympics, Asian Games, National Wrestling Championships, and World Wrestling Championships.

WFI’s Contract System for Wrestlers

• In 2018, the WFI rolled out its revolutionary contracts system for the grapplers.
• Under the system, the wrestlers have been placed in four grades –
  • Grade A offers financial assistance of 30 lakh rupees;
  • Grade B contract offers a financial assistance of 20 lakh rupees;
  • The C category offers support of 10 lakh rupees;
  • The D category offers support of 5 lakh rupees.
• The contracts are reviewed after one year.

Why are India’s Top Wrestlers Protesting?

• Veteran Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat had alleged that WFI President Brij Bhushan has been involved since many years in sexually exploiting women wrestlers.
• She further claimed that several coaches at the national camp in Lucknow have also exploited women wrestlers.
• The wrestlers have also alleged financial mismanagement and arbitrariness in the functioning of the WFI.

What are the Protesting Wrestlers Demanding?

• The wrestlers are demanding that an FIR be registered against Brij Bhushan on the basis of their police complaint, and that he be arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act as one of the complainants is a minor.
• They have also demanded that he should be removed as the WFI president, and that the federation should be dissolved.

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How has the WFI Responded to the Protests?

• Brij Bhushan has rubbished the allegations of sexual harassment.
• In January, he said he was “willing to be hanged” if proven guilty.
• The WFI has denied claims of financial mismanagement and arbitrariness in its functioning.

What Measures has the Central Government Taken?

• In January, the government persuaded the wrestlers to call off their protest by forming an Oversight Committee.
  • The committee was tasked with looking into the allegations against Brij Bhushan as well as managing the day-to-day affairs of the WFI.
• The six-member committee, headed by boxing legend MC Mary Kom, was given four weeks to come up with its findings. However, it submitted its report only in the first week of April.
• The committee has since been disbanded.
• Following the fresh protests recently, the Government has declared the ongoing process for the WFI elections, which were scheduled for May 7^th, null and void

What are the Findings of the Oversight Committee?

• The report is still being “examined”, and has not been made public.
• However, the Sports Ministry has recently shared the “major findings” following preliminary scrutiny of the report.
• The key points stated by the government were –
  • Absence of a duly constituted Internal Complaints Committee in WFI under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act, 2013;
  • Lack of an adequate mechanism for awareness building among sportspersons, for grievance redressal, etc.;
  • Need for more transparency and consultation between the Federation and the stakeholders, including the sportspersons;
  • Need for effective communication between the Federation and sportspersons.

Way Ahead

• Seven women wrestlers filed separate police complaints against WFI President Brij Bhushan Singh on April 21, accusing him of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation over a 10-year period from 2012 to 2022.
• The Supreme Court will hear the matter on April 28.
• The wrestlers have said they will continue the protests until their demands are met.
• The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has declared the upcoming elections for the WFI President post as “null and void”.
• The Ministry has requested the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form a transitory or ad-hoc committee to run the day-to-day affairs of the WFI and to conduct elections to its new executive committee within 45 days of the formation of such interim body.

Q1) What is TOPS Scheme in Sports?

The Target Olympic Podium Scheme or TOPS was launched in 2014 under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS). The chief objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance and other help to athletes in their pursuit of medals in the Olympics and other international sporting events.

Q2) What is the difference between Olympics and Commonwealth Games?

The main difference between the two is that in the Olympic Games countries from around the world compete, whereas in the Commonwealth Games only the countries that are part of the Commonwealth of Nations compete.

Source: Wrestlers’ protest against strongman leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh | ToI