Punia is planning to skip the trials for the World Championships on August 25 and 26 and instead wants to train at a foreign location to prepare for the Asian Games
Three months ago prominent wrestlers came forward to lead a protest against the WFI chief following which the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced the formation of an 'oversight committee' to probe allegations against the WFI, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and some coaches.
Antim Panghal on Friday created history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to win back-to-back U20 world titles
Unprecedented success followed India at the junior wrestling World Championships on Thursday with three grapplers, including fast-rising Antim Panghal, storming into the gold medal bouts while Harshita will fight for bronze.
'It is Bajrang Punia's personal decision to return the Padma Shri. The WFI polls were held in fair and democratic manner. We will still try to persuade Bajrang to reverse his decision to return Padma Shri.'
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The government is unhappy with the wrestlers' behaviour and will not reconstitute the oversight committee formed to probe the sexual harassment charges against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Earlier in the day, Singh reached Nandini College premises and met players who had come for a three-day wrestling championship.
On Wednesday, Thakur asked the protesting wrestlers not to take any step that could undermine sports or hurt players, and said appropriate action will be taken once the probe into their allegations is completed. He also urged the wrestlers to be patient and have faith in the apex court.
Mehta said statements of four complainants, including the minor, has been recorded under section 161 of the CrPC in the case.
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International referee Jagbir Singh recounts events where he 'witnessed Brij Bhushan's inappropriate behaviour towards woman wrestlers'
TMC MP Mahua Moitra also attributed the former sportswoman's stand to her Rajya Sabha seat.
Wrestlers' protest take political colour, farmer leaders also support athletes
OCA might not entertain Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) request for extending the July 15 deadline for providing details of the country's wrestling squad for the Asian Games.
Vehicles entering Delhi were being checked and pickets were increased at Delhi-Ghazipur, Tikri and Singhu borders.
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Bajrang Punia criticised Brij Bhushan for his comments on the medal won by the grapplers.
Former bowler Madan Lal added: "Heart-breaking that they decided to throw their medals. We aren't in favour of them throwing their medals because earning medals isn't easy and we urge the Government to sort out this issue as soon as possible."
Later, authorities can decide whether the complaint is proper or not, Munde told reporters in Maharashtra's Beed district on Wednesday, adding that she expects action to be taken in the present case.
Either Sanjay Kumar Singh or 2010 CWG champion Anita Sheoran will become the next WFI President.
WFI's ad-hoc panel to work with just one member for at least a week
The trials to short-list the wrestlers for the Asian Games will likely take place around July 20.
Monday is the last date for filing nominations.
Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal raised a question on Friday as to why the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has not been asked to resign, in the wake allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by female wrestlers.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed solidarity with protesting wrestlers after meeting them at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Saturday and accused the government of 'protecting' WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing allegations of sexual harassment levelled by women grapplers.
Besides legendary boxer MC Mary Kom and wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, the panel includes archer Dola Banerjee and Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) president and IOA treasurer Sahdev Yadav.
The government decided to form an oversight committee which will investigate the allegations of sexual harassment of women wresters by WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The Gauhati High Court on Sunday stayed the Wrestling Federation of India elections, scheduled for July 11.
IOC urges IOA to appoint CEO quickly, asks it to settle wrestling issue by following UWW rules and directives
Bajrang Punia said they were ready to sacrifice medals as delivering justice to the victims would be their biggest medal.
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur reiterated the government's commitment to an 'impartial probe' into the charges against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Sonam Malik (65kg) and Kiran (76kg) also lost their respective semi-finals in the women's competition to go out of the gold medal race as four of the five Indians in action fell at the last-four stage.
The law officer said let an impression be not created that the FIR has not been registered despite the court asking for it.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, in a tweet, requested people not to put objectionable slogans or hashtags on social media that harm the dignity of political parties or communities, among others.
Following their meeting with Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, the protesting wrestlers have agreed to suspend their protest for a week.
Wrestlers have the opportunity to win more quota places at the Asian qualifiers and World Qualifiers this year.
Achanta Sharath Kamal said the ongoing protest by the wrestlers has shown the importance of an athletes' body in all National Sports Federations.
Sibal alleged that seven wrestlers, including a minor, have made alleged sexual harassment allegations but no FIR has been lodged so far despite the law being very clear on this aspect.
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