Protesting wrestlers demand WFI be disbanded in meeting with Anurag Thakur

NEW DELHI: Top Indian wrestlers refused to climb down from their stand that the government initiate immediate steps to disband the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) as quickly as possible, even as Sports Minister Anurag Thakur continued to find a solution to break the deadlock on Thursday night.

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

On Thursday night, the protesting wrestlers led by Vinesh and Bajrang besides Sakshi, Anshu Malik, Ravi Dahiya, and Sarita Mor, among others met Thakur at his residence and demanded speedy action. The two sides were involved in a marathon meeting which continued late into the night, with the parties failing to find a tangible solution thus far.

According to sources, the government wants the wrestlers to end their protest but the athletes are adamant that the WFI should first be disbanded. "The government can resolve other issues later...we are fine with that, but it must disband WFI first," a source close to the wrestlers told PTI.

A team of wrestlers, including Bajrang, Vinesh, Anshu, Sakshi and her husband Satyawrat Kadiyan had earlier in the day met government officials and discussed their issues with Sports Secretary Sujata Chaturvedi, Director General SAI Sandip Pradhan and Joint Secretary (Sports) Kunal.

During the one-hour meeting, the wrestlers were asked to end their protest and assured that their grievances will be addressed. Meanwhile, the WFI is yet to respond to the ministry's demand for an explanation within 72 hours, adding to the suspense.

The ministry, however, cannot force Brij Bhushan to resign unless it receives a written reply since the government itself had asked the WFI for an explanation.

Former wrestler and BJP leader Babita Phogat is also part of the meeting to break the deadlock.

Prior to the meeting, Anurag Thakur said that the allegations levelled by wrestlers against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its chief are serious 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 is a deputy director in 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 previously alleged that coaches who are favourites of the WFI misbehave with women and harass them. She also accused the wrestling federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually harassing girls and calling her a 'khota sikka' after her defeat at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

Vinesh, the first Indian woman wrestler to win gold in both 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)

NEW DELHI: Top Indian wrestlers refused to climb down from their stand that the government initiate immediate steps to disband the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) as quickly as possible, even as Sports Minister Anurag Thakur continued to find a solution to break the deadlock on Thursday night. Celebrated Indian wrestlers, including Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, world championship medallist Vinesh Phogat and others have been staging a sit-in protest for the last two days at Jantar Mantar here against WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexual exploitation and intimidation. On Thursday night, the protesting wrestlers led by Vinesh and Bajrang besides Sakshi, Anshu Malik, Ravi Dahiya, and Sarita Mor, among others met Thakur at his residence and demanded speedy action. The two sides were involved in a marathon meeting which continued late into the night, with the parties failing to find a tangible solution thus far. According to sources, the government wants the wrestlers to end their protest but the athletes are adamant that the WFI should first be disbanded. "The government can resolve other issues later...we are fine with that, but it must disband WFI first," a source close to the wrestlers told PTI. A team of wrestlers, including Bajrang, Vinesh, Anshu, Sakshi and her husband Satyawrat Kadiyan had earlier in the day met government officials and discussed their issues with Sports Secretary Sujata Chaturvedi, Director General SAI Sandip Pradhan and Joint Secretary (Sports) Kunal. During the one-hour meeting, the wrestlers were asked to end their protest and assured that their grievances will be addressed. Meanwhile, the WFI is yet to respond to the ministry's demand for an explanation within 72 hours, adding to the suspense. The ministry, however, cannot force Brij Bhushan to resign unless it receives a written reply since the government itself had asked the WFI for an explanation. Former wrestler and BJP leader Babita Phogat is also part of the meeting to break the deadlock. Prior to the meeting, Anurag Thakur said that the allegations levelled by wrestlers against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its chief are serious 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 is a deputy director in 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 previously alleged that coaches who are favourites of the WFI misbehave with women and harass them. She also accused the wrestling federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually harassing girls and calling her a 'khota sikka' after her defeat at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Vinesh, the first Indian woman wrestler to win gold in both 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