WATCH - Yogeshwar Dutt calls ad-hoc panel's one-bout trial decision 'unfair' | Wrestlers Protest

Former Indian wrestler and BJP politician Yogeshwar Dutt has slammed the Indian Olympic Association ad-hoc panel for making an exception for the protesting wrestlers in the trials of the Asian Games and World Championship.

Dutt took to his Twitter to post a video and called out the protesting wrestlers and the panel for making it a one-bout trial for just the 6 protesting wrestlers.

Dutt first questioned the criteria used by the ad-hoc panel to take such a step and went on to criticise the panel for meting out unfair treatment to other wrestlers.

'Why has the panel allowed all 6 wrestlers to take the one-bout trial when they have not been playing for nearly a year now', he asked.

He said, 'why other wrestlers like Ravi Dahiya, Anshu Malik, Deepak Punia, and Sonam Malik were not given this opportunity?'

Calling it an utterly wrong move, Dutt went on to say that not even the previous officials who are being accused have taken such a biased decision that the IOA-appointed ad-hoc panel has taken without considering any rules or without making any criteria.

He also urged all the other wrestlers who are facing unjust behaviour to come out and raise their voices against the ad-hoc panel. 'I am not saying to go out on the streets and protest, please work hard but please also raise your voice with the help of media, please write letters to the prime minister, home minister sports minister Anurag Thakur and IOA and bring fore the unjust decision of the ad-hoc panel'

He went on to call it a black day for Indian wrestling and admitted that though such decisions have been taken in the past for selected wrestlers, he said such liberties were only given to the outstanding players and to players who had performed well in recent games, 'These wrestlers are away from the mat for nearly a year, maybe more than a year', he added.

He also called on the Khap panchayats and farmers who are supporting the wrestlers in their protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Since they have actively participated in the protest, he requested them to analyse such ad-hoc panel decisions as well.

He also questioned the reason behind the protests, 'The protest happened to get justice in the case of sexual assault or for availing this benefit?'

The six wrestlers, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, Sangeeta Phogat, Satywart Kadian and Jitender Kinha who have been at the forefront of the wrestlers' protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh have been given an exemption from appearing in the initial trials. They have also been promised that they will compete against the winners of the trials of their particular weight category between August 5 and 15.

The wrestlers had requested the Sports Ministry to allow them to appear in the Asian Games trials in August because they are under-prepared for the competition due to their long-drawn protest.

Elite wrestlers like Bajrang and Vinesh have been given exemptions by WFI from full trials in the past to protect them from injuries but Sangeeta Phogat, Satyawart Kadian and Jitender Kinha are being considered for such a favour for the first time.