World Wrestling Organization Suspends India

NEW DELHI (IANS) – The United World Wrestling (UWW), the world governing body for wrestling, has suspended the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for not conducting its elections within the stipulated time. This means India’s wrestlers will not be able to compete at the world championships beginning September 16.

UWW had on April 28 warned that it could suspend the Indian federation if the deadline to hold elections is not honored. The WFI elections have been delayed several times with multiple bodies going to court and multiple judgements by various high courts.

Given the chaos and the WFI chief  Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh being accused of sexual harassment, the championship was moved out of India.  The Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal said, “World Wrestling has suspended the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Due to an attempt to protect an alleged sexual offender, now the Tricolor flag of India will not fly abroad, and the national anthem will not play. What could be a greater insult to the country? The choice was between the country and Brij Bhushan, and you chose Brij Bhushan.”

The Delhi Police’s charge sheet runs over 1,000 pages charging him of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty, making sexually colored remarks and stalking.