The wrestlers have ended their protest more than six months after they originally staged a dharna in front of Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, claiming the disgraced Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of abusing female grapplers sexually.
The protesting wrestlers stated in a statement that was shared on social media that they would continue to challenge Singh in court rather than on the streets. The wrestlers have stated that they will hold off on voting for the WFI’s new president and executive committee until the government has put its promises into action, which is set to take place on July 11.
Singh was charged with offences under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), and 354D (stalking) of the Indian Penal Code. The POCSO charges against Singh were dropped after a second statement from the young wrestler was recorded.
Vinod Tomar, the WFI assistant secretary who has been suspended, has also been charged with criminal intimidation under sections 506 and 109.
The protesting wrestlers will compete in’single-bout’ trials, meaning that they will only need to win one match against a first-round victor to secure their spot, as was previously confirmed by the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) ad hoc committee.