WFI Suspension Lifted: A complete timeline of Indian Wrestling Federation's struggle in last two years

The Sports Ministry has lifted the suspension on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Earlier, on March 10, the WFI had asked the newly elected Executive Committee not to manage the daily affairs of the Federation until further notice. An ad-hoc committee, led by Bhupinder Singh Bajwa and including hockey Olympian MM Somaya and former international badminton player Manjusha Kanwar, was overseeing things during this time. The WFI is just swinging in different hands over the last two years.

Ad-Hoc nullified after governance concerns

The Ministry made this decision due to concerns about governance issues and procedural mistakes by the newly elected body. It seemed like the new committee was still being influenced by former leaders, which went against the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011, also known as the Sports Code. As part of this decision, all actions taken by the earlier ad-hoc committee set up by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) have been nullified.

Let’s look at the timeline, since 2023, what happened with the WFI since 2023 and how it went to different hands over the last two years.

2023

Jan 18: Wrestlers start a protest at Jantar Mantar, accusing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh Sharan of sexual harassment. They demand his resignation and the dissolution of the WFI.
Jan 20: Wrestlers write to PT Usha, IOA president, asking for an inquiry committee. IOA forms a seven-member committee, including MC Mary Kom and Yogeshwar Dutt, to investigate these claims.
Jan 21: Wrestlers stop their protest after meeting Sports Minister Anurag Thakur. He announces an Oversight Committee to look into the allegations, and Brij Bhushan is asked to step aside.

Formation and discontent

Jan 23: An Oversight Committee, led by Mary Kom, is formed by the Ministry and given four weeks for the investigation.
Jan 24: The wrestlers express unhappiness as they weren’t consulted about the committee members.
Apr 16: WFI announces elections for May 7 after the Oversight Committee submits its report to the Sports Ministry. The report isn’t made public.
Apr 23: Wrestlers return to Jantar Mantar, stating that seven female wrestlers, including a minor, have lodged a sexual harassment complaint against Brij Bhushan. They urge the Ministry to release the committee’s findings.

Legal battles and protests

Apr 24: The Ministry postpones the May 7 WFI elections, asking IOA to set up an ad-hoc body to arrange the elections within 45 days.
Apr 25: Wrestlers approach the Supreme Court to file an FIR against Brij Bhushan. The SC issues a notice to Delhi police.
May 3: A scuffle occurs between wrestlers and Delhi Police. Protesters claim officials mistreated them, especially female wrestlers.
May 10-11: Wrestlers challenge Brij Bhushan to undergo a narco test, and the police record his statement.

New develpoments in WFI

May 28: Leading wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia face charges for rioting during a protest march toward the new Parliament.
June 7: Wrestlers pause their protest after assurances from Minister Thakur about a timely investigation and WFI elections.
June 25: Guwahati HC stops WFI elections scheduled for July 11 due to a petition.
July 19: Elections are rescheduled for August 7 but again postponed due to various petitions.

Election disputes and solutions

Aug 23: UWW suspends WFI for not holding elections on time. Another election is set for December 21, where Sanjay Singh, a supporter of Brij Bhushan, is elected as the new WFI chief.
Dec 21-24: Post-election, Bajrang Punia returns his Padma Shri in protest, and the Sports Ministry suspends WFI again due to non-compliance with proper procedures.

2024

Highcourt’s order and Ad-Hoc

March 9: Delhi HC stops WFI trials, advising an ad-hoc panel to select teams for upcoming championships.
March 18: IOA dissolves the ad-hoc committee for wrestling, following ongoing issue
August 16 : The Delhi High Court ordered the ad-hoc committee to manage the WFI again until the Union government formally recalls its suspension order.