Representational picture. ANI
New Delhi: The khaps in Haryana on Saturday distanced themselves from the choice controversy as regards to the wrestlers for the upcoming Asian Video games, saying solely the nationwide federation can determine on the contentious matter.
This was determined throughout a khap panchayat (village council) held at Haryana’s Jind district and headed by Om Prakash of Kandela village.
An issue broke out in July as offended wrestlers and their relations threatened to boycott the Asian Video games trials after the exemption given to Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia (65 kg) and world medallist Vinesh Phogat (53 kg).
Associated Articles
Vinesh has since undergone a surgical procedure whereas Bajrang had stated he would go by the choice of the khap panchayats.
The khaps had backed the likes of Bajrang, Vinesh and Sakshi Malik after their allegations of sexual harassment towards outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
“Today’s panchayat was for the athletes only. Regarding the issue about the wrestlers’ selection for the Asian Games, the panchayat has concluded that this is not a matter for the khaps to decide, and it is for the federation to address,” Om Prakash stated.
“The athletes’ federation (WFI) can only decide on this and not the khap. The khap panchayat is moving away from this. Most of the khaps today were from Jind district. We leave this on the federation, and the khaps will not interfere in this matter,” he added.
The 2 earlier panchayats had remained inconclusive. Bajrang, whose direct entry to the Asian Video games created the controversy, didn’t attend Saturday’s meet.
He has stated that regardless of the ‘Khap panchayat’ will determine he “will agree” to that.
Throughout their protest towards the WFI strongman from Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, the wrestlers had acquired the help of khap panchayat, farmers, and a few top-notch sportspersons akin to reigning Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and Olympic gold medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra.