Wrestlers Protest Live: WFI President to Hold Press Conference at 4 PM Today
Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik & Bajrang Punia are leading a protest against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan. Stay tuned.
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Indian Wrestlers Protest LIVE News Updates: Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is accused of sexually harassing female wrestlers, will hold a press conference at 4 pm at the Wrestling Training Centre in Nawabganj, Uttar Pradesh's Gonda district.
Yesterday's stalemate between the athletes and the federation resumed as Olympic wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, on ended their marathon meeting with Sports Minister Anurag Thakur without any statement.
The sportspersons have asked for the complete disbanding of the WFI.
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: Himanshi Dahiya)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: Himanshi Dahiya)
(Photo: Himanshi Dahiya)
(Photo: Himanshi Dahiya)
The biggest names in Indian wrestling came forward on Wednesday to make allegations of sexual harassment against federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Watch full presser here.
Bhushan, a BJP MP, has denied all claims but has been given a 72-hour deadline by Sports Authority of India to send a formal reply to the complaints.
More wrestlers joined the sit-in protest on Thursday in Jantar Mantar.
The WFI have said that they will convene a meeting over the matter on 22 January, following which they will clarify their further plan of action.
After a meeting yesterday morning, the athletes had expressed that they are not happy with the government's response, and they will register a police complaint if WFI is not disbanded.
Indian Wrestlers Take a Stand
India's biggest wrestlers are continuing their protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar against federation President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's sexual harassment of female wrestlers.
'Why is the women's wrestling camp always held in Lucknow, when most wrestlers are from UP and Haryana? The men's camp is in Sonipat. It's because he lives there and can harass women easily, as he can access the SAI centre easily,' said Vinesh, Sakshi Malik and Sangeeta Phogat at a press conference held on Wednesday.
Wrestlers Continue Protests at Jantar Mantar
Vinesh, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik are continuing their protest against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, and have today been joined by more young wrestlers.
All wrestlers have refused to speak so far this morning, maintaining a 'maun vrat' till 12pm when they will hold a press conference.
Young wrestlers join the protest in Delhi in support of Vinesh, Sakshi and Bajrang.
(Photo: The Quint)
Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, Vinesh sit at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Day 2 of their protest.
(Photo: The Quint)
Who is Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh?
Indian Wrestlers Protest LIVE News: Bhushan, 65, is a BJP MP from Kaiserganj in Uttar Pradesh and has held the post of the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) President since 2011. He was elected to a third term in 2019.
Singh is also one of the accused in the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on 6 December 1992.
There was also a case against him under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (TADA) in the mid-90s for allegedly harbouring associates of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim: Subhash Singh Thakur, Jayendra Thakur alias Bhai Thakur, Paresh Desai and Shyam Kishore Garikapatti. He was also accused of providing them his phone to speak to Dawood. He was later acquitted of these charges.
Never Received Sexual Harassment Complaint, Meeting on 22nd: WFI
In a statement, the assistant secretary at WFI, Vinod Tomar said:
"The WFI constitution mentions the provision of forming a committee to deal with sexual harassment cases. We currently don't have such a body in action, but following yesterday's events, we have called for a meeting on 22nd January. The general council will decide on the formation and composition of the committee in that meeting."
He added, "Till date, there hasn't been any official complaint received by us regarding sexual harrasment. Alternatively, wrestlers can also report such instances to SAI, but we have spoken with SAI and confirmed they haven't received such complaints either. We can only clarify our further plan of action only after the meeting on 22nd."
Babita Phogat at Protest, Brings Message From Govt
Indian Wrestlers Protest LIVE News: Babita Phogat, a commonwealth games gold medallist and a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, joined the protest on Thursday.
"Do Not Make This a Political Issue": Bajrang Punia
Olympic wrestler Bajrang Punia urges people to "not make this a political issue."
'New Haryana Federation Has People Similar to WFI Chief': Vinesh Phogat
"The new wrestling federation made in Haryana has people similar to Brijbhushan Sharan Singh (WFI President)," says Vinesh Phogat at Jantar Mantar.
'Protest Will Resume Until There is Clarity of Action': Sakshi Malik
"Will continue the protest until there is clarity on the action that will be taken. We firmly believe that Babita will support us, and take our grievances to the government," says Sakshi Malik in Delhi.
'Will Speak to Sports Ministry': Bajrang Punia
"We've got a message from the Sports Ministry. We will speak with them and then address the media again," says Bajrang Punia at Jantar Mantar.
Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat are headed to the Sports Ministry.
'Continue to Stand With Our Athletes': Dr Krishna Poonia
Congress MLA and former gold-medal-winning track and Dr Krishna Poonia urged PM Modi to deliver justice.
"I request PM Modi to make sure that our wrestlers get justice. I will continue to stand with our athletes," Dr Poonia said.
'Issues Will be Taken Seriously': Haryana CM
Speaking on the developments, Haryana CM ML Khattar said, "The safety of our women athletes is very important and we take it seriously. We will not let their morale down. All the issues raised by the athletes will be taken seriously."
'Will Register an FIR': Vinesh Phogat
In a press statement after meeting with the Sports Ministry, wrestler Vinesh Phogat said that "We have faith in the Prime Minister & the Home Minister of the country, and don't want to go to the police. But if the government doesn't act quickly we will be forced to take the legal route."
She further added that she will file a complaint with the police on Friday, 20 January, as they are still waiting for a satisfactory response from the Sports Ministry.
'Not Happy With Government's Response': Sakshi Malik
After meeting with the sports ministry, wrestler Sakshi Malik said that the "government did not promise any action. They have only given assurance and we’re not happy with the response, we request the Prime Minister sir to ensure justice."
'Will Make Sure WFI President Resigns' Vinesh Phogat
Vinesh Phogat also added that the government did not give any satisfactory response.
"Today is the second day of the protest and we haven’t got any satisfactory response from the government. We will make sure that Brij Bhushan Singh resigns and is jailed. We will also file a case," she said.
"Women are harassed behind closed doors. They themselves are the proof," she added.
Her uncle, Mahavir Singh Phogat also said that "a corrupt person should not continue on the post( of WFI president). A good wrestler or athlete should come, not a political person. If girls are speaking up, then such threats can be averted in future," reported news agency ANI.
'Want WFI to be Disbanded' Bajrang Punia
Wrestler Banjrank Punia said that they "have the support of 5-6 women who can prove they were harassed. Will go to the Police with proof if needed,'' he said, and that they "want the federation to be disbanded."
'Not Recieved Any Complaint' NCW
National Commission for Women chief Rekha Sharma said that they "have not received a single complaint from any of those wrestlers who’re protesting. If anybody lodges a complaint with us, we immediately conduct a probe & take action," reported news agency ANI.
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur to Meet Wrestlers Soon
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur has arrived at his residence in Delhi, from Chandigarh, and is expected to meet the wrestlers who are protesting against WFI, reported news agency ANI.
Earlier on Thursday, he said that "allegations levelled by wrestlers are serious in nature. Taking swift action, Government of India sent a notice to WFI and sought a reply within 72 hours. I will try to meet the wrestlers after I reach Delhi. We will talk and listen to them."
Wrestlers Arrive at Sports Minister Residence
Protesting wrestlers, including Babita Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat have arrived Sports Minister Anurag Thakur residence to meet him.
Meeting Ends With Sports Minister
Wrestlers' meeting with Sports Minister Anurag Thakur around 2am on Friday, 20 January. However, neither the minister, nor wrestlers gave any statement about what was decided in the meeting.
WFI President to Address the Press at Noon
Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh will hold a press conference at 12 noon at the Wrestling Training Centre in Nawabganj, Uttar Pradesh's Gonda district.
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