Union Sports activities Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday assured protesting wrestlers that stern motion could be taken if any Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) coach or official is discovered responsible. Thakur met with the wrestlers together with Babita Phogat, Sakchi malik, Bajrang Punia amongst others after their second day of protest on the Jantar Mantar over allegations of sexual misconduct by Wrestling Federation of India coaches and its president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Within the meet, that began round 10 pm on Thursday night time, the protesting wrestlers demanded the resignation of Brij Bhushan and disbanding of the WFI. Nevertheless, Thakur advised them to attend for an official reply from the WFI that the sports activities ministry had sought on Wednesday. However, the wrestlers should not able to settle at something lower than resignation of the WFI president.

The centre, in a press release on Wednesday, had made it clear that if the WFI doesn’t reply within the subsequent three days, the sports activities ministry “will proceed to provoke motion in opposition to the federation when it comes to the provisions of the Nationwide Sports activities Growth Code, 2011.”

Earlier, Vinesh Phogat, the primary Indian girl wrestler to win gold in each Commonwealth Video games and the Asian Video games, mentioned that they haven’t received any ‘passable response’ from the federal government.

“Sadly we didn’t get a passable response. Yesterday, we had 1-2 victims amongst us however now we now have 5-6 wrestlers, who have been harassed (sexually). We will not title them now, in any case they’re daughters and sisters of someone. But when we’re pressured to reveal their identification, will probably be a black day,” mentioned Vinesh, a two-time World Championship medallist.

“It isn’t nearly his (Brij Bhushan) resignation. We are going to ship him to jail. We didn’t need to take the authorized route, as a result of we had hoped for decision but when a correct resolution isn’t supplied, we are going to lodge FIRs in opposition to the President. We’re World Championship and Olympic medallists, do not suspect us, we’re telling the reality, consider us.”

Vinesh Phogat had beforehand alleged that coaches who’re favourites of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) misbehave with ladies wrestlers and harass them. She additionally accused the WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually exploiting ladies athletes and calling her a ‘khota sikka’ after her defeat on the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Singh has denied the allegations.

WFI Govt Meet

Additionally, a gathering of the Govt Committee and the Annual Normal Assembly (AGM) of the WFI is slated to be held on January 22 in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh and its chief Singh will take part. Olympian wrestler Bajrang Punia mentioned:  “5 to 6 ladies wrestlers are right here with us who’ve confronted these atrocities and we now have proof to show it.”

Earlier, a number of the ace wrestlers went to workplace of Union Sports activities Ministry in Shashtri Bhawan for a gathering with ministry officers. Nevertheless, they remained unhappy.

Olympic bronze medallist wrestler Sakshi Malik mentioned, “Authorities didn’t promise any motion, they’ve solely given assurance and we’re not proud of the response, we request PM sir to make sure justice.”

Former wrestler and Haryana BJP chief Babita Phogat reached the protest web site on Thursday to fulfill the wrestlers as a mediator from the federal government and guaranteed the grapplers that their calls for will likely be met. “I’ve assured them that the federal government is with them. I’ll strive that their points are resolved as we speak,” Babita mentioned.

“Babita Phogat has come from the federal government’s aspect for mediation. We are going to communicate together with her after which give extra particulars,” wrestler Bajrang Punia mentioned.

With PTI and ANI inputs