“We have faith that justice will be served” says Bajrang Punia
On Friday the aggrieved wrestler called off their protest late in the evening after Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Brij Bhushan Sharan will step down as chief until a probe is completed in connection with the sexual harassment of female wrestling players. The statement came following a late night meeting with protesting wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat and Bagranj Punia.
Thakur said that an oversight committee will be formed names of which is supposed to be released on Saturday. The committee will complete its investigation within four weeks and to will also thoroughly probe against all the allegations be it financial or sexual harassment that have been levelled against WFI and its chief. He also mentioned that till the investigation is over the chief will step down from his position and oversight committee will run the day-to-day affairs of WFI.
This came barely few hours after the Indian Olympic Association had formed a seven-member committee, headed by M C Mary Kom, to probe the charges against Singh.
"We have full faith that justice will be given. There were threat to Wrestlers. Minister has also assured the justice. PM has also supported us, we didn't want to protest but what all had happened was intolerable," said wrestler Bajrang Punia. The wrestlers said that they hope a fair probe would be conducted in this regard.
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