Protesting wrestlers on Thursday met with the Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur for about 4 hours at his New Delhi residence.
Top wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia led protest against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) demanding resignation of it’s president, who is also a BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Mr Thakur was on his official duty in Himachal Pradesh, when he had to return to New Delhi over the raising concerns of the protesting wrestlers.
On Wednesday, the protesting wrestlers gathered at Jantar Mantar of Delhi and demanded resignation of the 66-year-old president and leader alleging him of sexually harassing female wrestlers and intimidating a few athletes.
As per the sources, the meeting turned out to be ‘fruitful’ as the Union Minister heard the concerns raised by the top wrestlers. Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Ravi Dahiya, Anshu Malik were also present in the meeting on Thursday.
Putting fourth the demands of the protesting wrestlers, the discussions between the government and the wrestlers are expected to continue on Friday.
The Asian and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Vinesh Phogat has alleged Brij Bhushan of mentally harassing the athletes and that the wrestlers have proof of sexual harassment against the WFI president.
Apart from this, the WFI and its president are also accused of mismanagement of funds and poor treatment of wrestlers.
Reportedly, the Sports Ministry has strictly asked Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to resign on immediate note. The government has even asked the WFI president to give his statement of explanation on the allegations put fourth by the wrestlers in next 72 hours on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Mr Bhushan said that he would be ready to hang himself if the allegations against him are proven. He even called the whole scenario a political conspiracy adding that he do not want to resign with such serious allegations.
