Sports Ministry’s action, suspension of Assistant Secretary of Wrestling Association, statements given in favor of Brij Bhushan

Amidst the agitation and controversy going on for the last few days, the officials of the Wrestling Federation are on target. The Sports Ministry has taken action on the allegations leveled by the wrestlers. The Sports Ministry has sacked Vinod Tomar, Assistant Secretary of the Wrestling Federation of India.  This is the same secretary who gave statements in favor of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

While giving a statement in favor of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Vinod Tomar, Assistant Secretary of the Wrestling Federation, had said on Saturday evening that most of the people of the Federation are with Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and personally I do not find the allegations of the players right.  Till the report of the investigation comes, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh will not say anything in this matter for the time being and after that he will present his point regarding the allegations.

The secretary was taking the side of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Vinod Tomar himself said this evening that Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is still holding the post of President, but will keep himself away from any official work till the investigation is on. He will explain his status in the General Body meeting to be held tomorrow And this topic will also be discussed among the representatives from across the country.

The ministry found his presence harmful

Let us inform that Vinod Tomar was appointed as the Assistant Secretary on 29 October 2002 by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).  The Ministry took note of reports about the functioning of WFI including the role of Vinod Tomar.  In these reports, the ministry found that the presence of Vinod Tomar would be detrimental to discipline.

The Sports Ministry has decided to immediately suspend Assistant Secretary Vinod Tomar as per the provisions of the Sports Code 2011 (Annexure-IX).

Vinod Tomar did not get any order

After this suspension, Vinod Tomar’s statement also came to the fore.  Vinod Tomar said that he has not received any information about this suspension.  Vinod Tomar said that even if the Sports Ministry has given an order, he has not received any such order yet.  It was discussed yesterday in the meeting between the Sports Ministry and the wrestlers that he is working closely with the WFI President and looks after the day-to-day affairs of the Wrestling Federation of India.

WFI denies allegations of sexual harassment

Significantly, after serious allegations of sexual harassment against WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the organization has sent a reply to the Sports Ministry.  WFI has termed these allegations as a big conspiracy.  The Wrestling Federation of India has denied the allegations of misconduct and sexual harassment against President Brij Bhushan.  Along with this, WFI raised questions about the wrestlers and shared information about the tournaments organized under the aegis of the federation.

These arguments given on the allegations of sexual harassment

In the information that WFI has given to the government regarding the allegations of sexual harassment, it has also given some arguments and said – a sexual harassment committee is active in the federation.  If this happened then why has he never received any complaint.  Further said- Sakshi Malik’s name is one of the members of the Sexual Harassment Committee.  He is one of the main faces of the protests.

The WFI has also claimed that the protests are being led and wrestlers from a particular state (Haryana) are joining it.  Moreover, the protests are motivated by vested interests, as the WFI elections are due later this year.