Vijender Singh Says Sports Ministry Should Have Suspended WFI Earlier

On Sunday, Congressman and boxer Vijender Singh backed wrestlers, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, demanding justice for women wrestlers in the harassment case. Sharing a tweet, Singh lashed out at the Sports Ministry stating "You people made the girl quit the sport and made the man return Padma Shri.

And now saying that the federation has been suspended, this action could have been taken earlier also." (Chhori ki Kushti Chhud vadi aur Chhore ka Padma Shri le liya, ab bole ki federation radd kardi hai, yeh kaam pahle hi kr lete.)

Raising the flag again, the boxer in another tweet asked ' Has justice been served?'

Earlier today, the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs suspended the newly-elected Wrestling Federation of India body with immediate effect. The decision was taken after it 'appears to be in complete control of former office bearers', adding it was in 'complete disregard to the Sports Code.' According to the reports, the Ministry also noted the rush to announce that the U15 and U20 nationals would take place in Gonda before the end of the year.

Taking cognizance of the situation, the Ministry called it a 'hasty decision without following the provisions of the WFI constitution.'

Sanjay Singh, a close aide of former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accused in several complaints of harassment by women wrestlers, was elected as the new WFI president this week, December 21. Before being elected, Sanjay Singh served as the chief of the Uttar Pradesh Wrestling Federation.

Reacting to the decision by the Ministry of Sports, Olympian Bajrang Punia welcomed the Sports Ministry's decision to suspend the newly-elected WFI body.

"The Ministry has taken the right decision," Bajrang said.

"We were accused of being politically charged, they said we are divided by our region. It was portrayed like Haryana vs UP. Sir, we win medals for the country. They were threatening everyone. What, Brij Bhushan is bigger than the government?

"Our stand remains the same. Brij Bhushan and his people should not be part of the WFI. In every state association, he has his people," he added.