In the recent development to the wrestlers versus WFI protest, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has formed a seven-member committee to investigate into allegations of sexual harassment against Wrestling Federation of India's chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh by country's ace wrestlers.
The committee will include MC Mary Kom and Yogeshwar Dutt, archer Dola Banerjee and Indian Weightlifting Federation of India (IWLF) president Sahdev Yadav along with three others.
The IOA's decision came after protesting wrestlers reached out to the IOA, demanding the formation of an enquiry committee to investigate the allegations against Brij Bhushan, a day after threatening to lodge multiple FIRs against the WFI chief. The formation of the committee followed IOA's emergency Executive Council meeting which was attended by Abhinav Bindra, Yogeshwar along with IOA president PT Usha and joint secretary Kalyan Chaubey.
India's top wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat claimed that WFI president Brij Bhushan sexually exploited women wrestlers. Phogat also alleged that Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh also called her a 'khota sikka' after her defeat at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
Wrestlers' protest has been going on at Jantar Mantar alleging harassment from coaches. India's most decorated wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, Ravi Dahiya are leading the protest. Wrestlers demanded the resignation of WFI President Brij Bhushan and the dissolution of the WFI. They wanted a committee to enquire into the complaints of sexual harassment. Also, they want the formation of a new committee that will run the federation in consultation with the wrestlers.
The protesting wrestlers had also written to PT Usha regarding the ‘sexual harassment’ complaints against WFI chief.
