Sports Minister holds 4-hour assembly with protesting wrestlers, WFI to reply to allegations on Friday

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur heard the considerations of the protesting wrestlers at his residence in New Delhi on Thursday. The authorities put ahead its proposal to the Olympians, who demanded the resignation of WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jan 20, 2023 02:50 IST

Ravi Kumar, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia throughout the wrestlers’ protest in New Delhi (PTI Photo)

By India Today Web Desk: Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur met with the protesting wrestlers for as many as 4 hours at his residence in New Delhi on Thursday, January 19.

The assembly, which spilled over to Friday, got here after high Indian wrestlers, together with the likes of Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, and Bajrang Punia, led a protest towards the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), demanding its president and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh step down from the highest job.

Anurag Thakur, who was on official obligation in Himachal Pradesh, returned to New Delhi on Thursday night to listen to the considerations of the protesting wrestlers. Olympic wrestlers first gathered at Jantar Mantar within the capital metropolis on Wednesday and demanded motion towards WFI president Brij Bhushan, alleging that the 66-year-old sexually harassed feminine wrestlers and intimidated fairly a couple of athletes.

FRUITFUL MEETING

India Today sources stated that the assembly was ‘fruitful’ and the Sports Minister listened to the considerations of the wrestlers. Anurag Thakur met the likes of Bajrang, Vinesh, Sakshi, Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Ravi Dahiya, Anshu Malik amongst a couple of others at his residence.

The authorities, in response to sources, put ahead its proposal to the wrestlers, who’ve demanded the WFI be dissolved. The discussions between the federal government and the protesting athletes are set to proceed on Friday.

The wrestlers have been additionally joined by DG SAI Sandip Pradhan on the Sports Minister’s home.

WHAT’S THE ISSUE?

Asian and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Vinesh Phogat alleged psychological harassment by Brij Bhushan whereas including that the wrestlers have proof of sexual harassment by the WFI boss and some coaches at nationwide camps in Lucknow.

The WFI and its president have additionally been accused of mismanagement, mismanagement of funds and poor therapy of wrestlers within the nation.

BRIJ BHUSHAN TO RESIGN?

Notably, the Sports Ministry, sources stated, urged Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to resign from his position inside 24 hours. The governing physique of sports activities had demanded an evidence of the allegations of the wrestlers in 72 hours in an announcement on Wednesday, including that the claims made by the wrestlers have been ‘critical’ in nature.

Speaking to India Today, WFI president Brij Bhushan stated he could be prepared to hold himself if allegations towards him have been confirmed. The BJP MP additionally claimed political conspiracy, including that he cannot resign with the tag of a ‘legal’.

Brij Bhushan stated the WFI referred to as for an Emergency General Council Meeting on Sunday, January 22 the place the problems will probably be mentioned.

The wrestlers, who’ve continued the ‘Dharna’ had stated protests would intensify if their calls for weren’t met.

Published On:

Jan 20, 2023