Wrestlers called off protest, WFI chief asked to step aside

The wrestlers who have been protesting against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said on Friday that they will call off their agitation.  BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh will step aside from India's wrestling body for four weeks during which an oversight committee will look into allegations of sexual harassment against him, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur told reporters in New Delhi on Friday night. Thakur assured that the government will support the wrestlers at every step of their battle. After meeting Thakur, the wrestlers called off their protest against alleged sexual harassment and misappropriation of funds.

"Till the time the investigation is not complete, a committee will see to the day-to-day working (of the Wrestling Federation of India)...I thank the athletes for speaking to me," Thakur said. Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia said the minister has assured he is with the wrestlers at every step. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also always supported our athletes," Punia said. Earlier, the IOA formed a seven-member committee to probe the allegations of sexual harassment against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.