New Delhi: The International Olympics Committee (IOC) has spoken out against the Delhi Police’s mistreatment of protesting Indian wrestlers, and demanded a speedy investigation into the allegations against BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
“The IOC insists that the allegations by the wrestlers are followed up by an unbiased, criminal investigation in line with local law,” an IOC spokesperson told Sportstar. “We understand that the first step towards such a criminal investigation has been made, but more steps have to follow before concrete actions become visible. We urge that the safety and well-being of these athletes be duly considered throughout this process and that this investigation will be speedily concluded.”
The IOC statement comes soon after the United World Wrestling (UWW), the international governing body for amateur wrestling, condemned the police action against the protesting wrestlers and expressed disappointment at the lack of proper probe against Singh.
“The IOC supports UWW as the competent sporting authority to address this issue as it pertains to the governance of the sport of wrestling in India. We have been informed by UWW that the President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is currently not in charge,” the IOC spokesperson told Sportstar.
“The IOC also urged the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to take all necessary actions to protect the athletes and to make sure that the elections of WFI are happening as planned and in line with the regulations of UWW as an International Federation.”
On Tuesday, the wrestlers had planned to throw their medals – won at the Olympics and other top international events – into the Ganga as a mark of protest against the government’s attitude towards their complaints. But they deferred after the intervention of farmer leader Naresh Tikait.
On Sunday, the wrestlers were manhandled and detained by the Delhi Police, and their protest site at Jantar Mantar was dismantled. The police have said they will not be allowed to return to Jantar Mantar, and have filed FIRs against the wrestlers.
While international condemnation pours in, the Union government has not said anything about the action against the protesting wrestlers. Instead, sexual harassment accused Singh attended the inauguration of the new parliament building presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday.
