Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday assured the protesting wrestlers that strict action would be taken if any coach or official of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is found guilty. Thakur met wrestlers Babita Phogat, Sakchi Malik, Bajrang Punia among others after the second day of protests at Jantar Mantar over allegations of sexual misconduct by Wrestling Federation of India coaches and its president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The protesting wrestlers demanded Brij Bhushan’s resignation and dissolution of the WFI in the meeting that began around 10 pm on Thursday. Thakur, however, asked them to wait for an official reply from the WFI, which was sought by the Sports Ministry on Wednesday. But the wrestlers are not ready for anything less than the resignation of the WFI president.
The Center in a statement on Wednesday made it clear that if the WFI does not respond in the next three days, the sports ministry will “initiate action against the federation in terms of the provisions of the National Sports Development Code”. 2011.”
Earlier, Vinesh Phogat, the first Indian woman wrestler to win gold in both Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, said she has not received any ‘satisfactory response’ from the government.
“Unfortunately we did not get a satisfactory response. Yesterday, we had 1-2 victims among us, but now we have 5-6 wrestlers who were harassed (sexually harassed). We cannot name them now, after all they are daughters. and someone’s sisters. But if we are forced to reveal their identity, it will be a black day,” said Vinesh, a two-time world championship medallist.
“It is not just about his (Brij Bhushan) resignation. We will send him to jail. We did not want to take the legal route, as we expected a solution, but if a proper solution is not given, we will file an FIR against him.” will do.” President We are world championship and Olympic medalists, don’t doubt us, we are telling the truth, trust us.
Vinesh Phogat had earlier alleged that the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI)-favourite coach misbehaves and harasses women wrestlers. She also accused WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually assaulting women athletes and calling them ‘false coins’ after their defeat in Tokyo Olympics 2020. Singh has denied the allegations.
WFI Executive Meeting
Also, the Executive Committee meeting and the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the WFI are scheduled to be held on January 22 in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh and will be attended by its chief Singh. Olympian wrestler Bajrang Punia said, “There are five to six women wrestlers here with us who have faced these atrocities and we have evidence to prove it.”
Earlier, some veteran wrestlers had gone to the Shastri Bhavan office of the Union Sports Ministry for a meeting with the officials of the ministry. However, he remained unsatisfied.
Olympic bronze medalist wrestler Sakshi Malik said, “The government did not promise any action, they only gave assurance and we are not happy with the response, we request PM sir to ensure justice.”
Former wrestler and Haryana BJP leader Babita Phogat reached the protest site on Thursday to meet the wrestlers as a mediator on behalf of the government and assured the wrestlers to fulfill their demands. “I have assured them that the government is with them. I will try to get their issues resolved today,” Babita said.
Wrestler Bajrang Punia said, “Babita Phogat has come for mediation on behalf of the government. We will talk to her and then give more details.”
With inputs from PTI and ANI
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