Protesting wrestlers demand WFI be disbanded in assembly with Anurag Thakur

By Agencies

NEW DELHI: Top Indian wrestlers refused to climb down from their stand that the federal government provoke quick steps to disband the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) as shortly as attainable, whilst Sports Minister Anurag Thakur continued to discover a answer to interrupt the impasse on Thursday night time.

Celebrated Indian wrestlers, together with Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, world championship medallist Vinesh Phogat and others have been staging a sit-in protest for the final two days at Jantar Mantar right here towards WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexual exploitation and intimidation.

On Thursday night time, the protesting wrestlers led by Vinesh and Bajrang in addition to Sakshi, Anshu Malik, Ravi Dahiya, and Sarita Mor, amongst others met Thakur at his residence and demanded speedy motion. The two sides had been concerned in a marathon assembly which continued late into the night time, with the events failing to discover a tangible answer so far.

According to sources, the federal government needs the wrestlers to finish their protest however the athletes are adamant that the WFI ought to first be disbanded. “The government can resolve other issues later…we are fine with that, but it must disband WFI first,” a supply near the wrestlers advised PTI.

A group of wrestlers, together with Bajrang, Vinesh, Anshu, Sakshi and her husband Satyawrat Kadiyan had earlier within the day met authorities officers and mentioned their points with Sports Secretary Sujata Chaturvedi, Director General SAI Sandip Pradhan and Joint Secretary (Sports) Kunal.

During the one-hour assembly, the wrestlers had been requested to finish their protest and guaranteed that their grievances can be addressed. Meanwhile, the WFI is but to reply to the ministry’s demand for an evidence inside 72 hours, including to the suspense.

The ministry, nonetheless, can not drive Brij Bhushan to resign except it receives a written reply for the reason that authorities itself had requested the WFI for an evidence.

Former wrestler and BJP chief Babita Phogat can be a part of the assembly to interrupt the impasse.

Prior to the assembly, Anurag Thakur stated that the allegations levelled by wrestlers towards the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its chief are severe in nature. 

“Government has worked for the welfare and upliftment of sports and players. India has won a lot of medals and delivered good performances at the global level. Work has been done to make federations better. Allegations levelled by wrestlers are serious in nature. Taking swift action, the Government of India sent a notice to WFI and sought a reply within 72 hours.”

Babita, who’s a deputy director within the Haryana Sports and Youth Affairs Department, and a former wrestler had earlier tweeted, “I stand with all my fellow players in this matter of wrestling. I assure all of you that I will work to raise this issue with the government at every level, and the future will be decided the way players feel right.”

Vinesh Phogat had beforehand alleged that coaches who’re favourites of the WFI misbehave with girls and harass them. She additionally accused the wrestling federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually harassing women and calling her a ‘khota sikka’ after her defeat on the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

Vinesh, the primary Indian girl wrestler to win gold in each Commonwealth and Asian Games, alleged, “Coaches are harassing women and some coaches, who are favourites of the Federation, misbehave with women coaches as well. They sexually harass girls. The WFI president has sexually harassed many girls.”

(With inputs from PTI, ANI)

ALSO READ | SP, Cong demand WFI chief be sacked, FIR registered over sexual harassment allegations

NEW DELHI: Top Indian wrestlers refused to climb down from their stand that the federal government provoke quick steps to disband the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) as shortly as attainable, whilst Sports Minister Anurag Thakur continued to discover a answer to interrupt the impasse on Thursday night time.

Celebrated Indian wrestlers, together with Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, world championship medallist Vinesh Phogat and others have been staging a sit-in protest for the final two days at Jantar Mantar right here towards WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexual exploitation and intimidation.

On Thursday night time, the protesting wrestlers led by Vinesh and Bajrang in addition to Sakshi, Anshu Malik, Ravi Dahiya, and Sarita Mor, amongst others met Thakur at his residence and demanded speedy motion. The two sides had been concerned in a marathon assembly which continued late into the night time, with the events failing to discover a tangible answer so far.

According to sources, the federal government needs the wrestlers to finish their protest however the athletes are adamant that the WFI ought to first be disbanded. “The government can resolve other issues later…we are fine with that, but it must disband WFI first,” a supply near the wrestlers advised PTI.

A group of wrestlers, together with Bajrang, Vinesh, Anshu, Sakshi and her husband Satyawrat Kadiyan had earlier within the day met authorities officers and mentioned their points with Sports Secretary Sujata Chaturvedi, Director General SAI Sandip Pradhan and Joint Secretary (Sports) Kunal.

During the one-hour assembly, the wrestlers had been requested to finish their protest and guaranteed that their grievances can be addressed. Meanwhile, the WFI is but to reply to the ministry’s demand for an evidence inside 72 hours, including to the suspense.

The ministry, nonetheless, can not drive Brij Bhushan to resign except it receives a written reply for the reason that authorities itself had requested the WFI for an evidence.

Former wrestler and BJP chief Babita Phogat can be a part of the assembly to interrupt the impasse.

Prior to the assembly, Anurag Thakur stated that the allegations levelled by wrestlers towards the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its chief are severe in nature. 

“Government has worked for the welfare and upliftment of sports and players. India has won a lot of medals and delivered good performances at the global level. Work has been done to make federations better. Allegations levelled by wrestlers are serious in nature. Taking swift action, the Government of India sent a notice to WFI and sought a reply within 72 hours.”

Babita, who’s a deputy director within the Haryana Sports and Youth Affairs Department, and a former wrestler had earlier tweeted, “I stand with all my fellow players in this matter of wrestling. I assure all of you that I will work to raise this issue with the government at every level, and the future will be decided the way players feel right.”

Vinesh Phogat had beforehand alleged that coaches who’re favourites of the WFI misbehave with girls and harass them. She additionally accused the wrestling federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually harassing women and calling her a ‘khota sikka’ after her defeat on the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

Vinesh, the primary Indian girl wrestler to win gold in each Commonwealth and Asian Games, alleged, “Coaches are harassing women and some coaches, who are favourites of the Federation, misbehave with women coaches as well. They sexually harass girls. The WFI president has sexually harassed many girls.”

(With inputs from PTI, ANI)

ALSO READ | SP, Cong demand WFI chief be sacked, FIR registered over sexual harassment allegations