Indian Wrestlers Call Off Protests After Union Sports Minister Asks WFI Chief To Step Aside
It's a major win for them.
The wrestlers of India have been protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to have their grievances heard by the sports authorities of the country. The protests are led by the Asian Games gold medalist wrestler, Vinesh Phogat, who has alleged that the Wrestling Federation of India Chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, has been sexually harassing female wrestlers. She and the other protestors met the union sports minister, Anurag Thakur, on January 20, 2023. The protestors were demanding that the WFI Chief be fired from his post. Both parties have reached a common ground after discussing matters and now, the protests have been called off.
#Jantarmantar pic.twitter.com/Q9otWpXoLw
— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) January 18, 2023
Wrestlers call off protests
As per reports, the wrestlers called off their protests after Anurag Thakur said that the WFI Chief will step aside from his post. This comes as a major win after the protestors sat on a dharna for three days in Delhi demanding Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s removal from the chair. This decision to have Singh step aside from his post comes after the second discussion that took place between Thakur and the protestors.
खिलाड़ी आत्मसम्मान चाहता है और पूरी शिद्दत के साथ ओलंपिक और बड़े खेलो के लिए तैयारी करता है लेकिन अगर फेडरेशन उसका साथ ना दे मनोबल टूट जाता है।लेकिन अब हम नही झुकेंगे।अपने अधिकारों के लिए लड़ेंगे।#BoycottWFIPresident#BoycottWrestlingPresident@PMOIndia @narendramodi @AmitShah
— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) January 18, 2023
Union Sports Minister, Anurag Thakur, also said that a committee will be set up to look into and investigate the sexual harassment allegations against Singh. Apart from this, it has also been given the task to oversee the federation’s day-to-day activities. Additionally, the committee has been given one month’s time to submit their report about this whole issue. The names of the members who will be included in this committee will be revealed on January 21, 2023.
Wrestlers call off protest, WFI chief Brij Bhushan to step aside till probe is completed
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/Ulf2hrSUxN#WrestlersProtest #AnuragThakur #BrijBhushanSharanSingh #WFI #BajrangPunia #BabitaPhogat pic.twitter.com/7wVCk7ouIs
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) January 20, 2023
The sudden allegations of the female wrestlers being harassed for years by the WFI Chief and the national coaches came as a shocker to all. Brij Bhushan Shan Singh, who is also a BJP MP, has straightaway denied these allegations levied by Vinesh Phogat. Many other medal-winning wrestlers of the county have also extended their support to Vinesh and those protesting. Among them are Bajrang Punia, Sakhi Malik, Babita Phogat, Anshu Malik, and Sangeeta Mor
Also read: Vinesh Phogat Threatens To File An FIR Against WFI Chief If Left With No Option
We hope the committee gets to the depth of this issue and all those found guilty are punished and justice is served to all female wrestlers who allege to be harassed.
Vinesh Phogat: Can’t Disclose Details Of Girls Who Complained Against WFI
