Wrestlers' Protest, Day 2 Live: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh will fight until the end

WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is adamant to keep his post and will fight until the end.

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur has issued his first response in the ongoing controversy involving the country's top wrestlers and WFI.  

"Allegations levelled by wrestlers are serious in nature. Taking swift action, Govt 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," Thakur was quoted as saying in Chandigarh by the news agency ANI. 

Former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda has backed the wrestlers who are protesting to bring changes in the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). 

According to the sources who spoke to Republic TV, it has been decided that after the formation of the new federation, the wrestlers will be getting new coaches, physios and the primary training centre will be moved from Lucknow to Delhi. They will also be given financial support by the federation.

Speaking to the reporters, wrestler Bajrang Punia said they will continue to protest until they get justice. "Our fight is only against the Wrestling Federation of India, we are not fighting against the government. We only want justice," Punia added.

Meanwhile, Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik said, “World medalists should not be doubted. We will not settle for the resignation of WFI chief. The federation should be dismissed, the accused should be jailed”.

"Govt did not promise any action, they have only given assurance and we’re not happy with the response, we request PM sir to ensure justice," she added.

Speaking to the reporters in Jantar Mantar, Vinesh Phogat revealed, “We have not received a satisfactory answer so far. WFI chief must be jailed. We are not just wrestlers, we are daughters of this country. Don't force us to reveal names of victims”.

“If forced, we will file an FIR. It's a dark day for Indian sportspersons. Exploitation ruined the careers of many female wrestlers. Bring the WFI president face to face against me,” Vinesh added

“Thank you for joining us again. You know what is going on here. We have the support of the country’s entire wrestling community. WFI President said that if proof is given, he is ready to get hanged. We have 5-6 girls with proof. If we don't get justice, we will go to police & courts,” Bajrang Punia said at the press briefing.

Indian wrestlers protesting against BJP MP and WFI boss Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh will shortly brief the media after their meeting with the Sports Ministry on Thursday.

Tokyo Olympic silver medallist Ravi Dahiya took to his Instagram handle on Thursday morning and rallied in support of the protests. The 25-year-old said, “You all know that we wrestlers are protesting at Jantar Mantar to save wrestling. I would request my fellow wrestlers, coaches and everyone associated with the wrestling world to join the protests”.

Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra spoke to Republic on Thursday and revealed he came to know about the disturbing allegations on WFI through the media. “It is very unfortunate to see Olympic-level athletes do that. It hurts. Hopefully, we get to the reality of what it is and learn from this and create structures to make sure nothing like this happens again. I support athletes all my life. I have been an athlete so I am always with athletes. It also requires great courage. It's not easy for an athlete to talk. I don't want to get into the case because it's not right for me to comment on a case which is under an investigation,” Bindra told Republic.

The WFI Executive Committee and Annual General Meeting (AGM) will organize a meeting on January 22. WFI boss Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is expected to resign after the meeting.

WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan is likely to resign from his role. As per ANI, he will be present at the meeting of the Executive Committee and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Wrestling Federation of India in Ayudhya, UP on January 22.

Speaking at the protest site on Thursday, Indian wrestler Anshu Malik said, “You can only imagine how much our senior wrestlers have tolerated in the past 8-10 years. We don't want anyone from the current federation. We want a complete overhaul because everyone in the federation is corrupt. When we get private sponsorships, they [WFI] don't let us take it, and when funds are given to them, it never reaches the wrestlers. WFI president stayed on the same floor and across the room from the junior girls at the Junior World Championships. He would leave his door open. Every girl was made uncomfortable”.

Speaking about the sexual allegations against the WFI chief, Haryana Wrestling Association’s Rohatash Singh, “The leadership of Brij Bhushan Sharan helped Indian wrestlers to take part in maximum number of international competitions, which never happened before. WFI chief made it possible”.

Speaking exclusively to Republic, Indian wrestler Vikram Yadav said, “Our friends are protesting for two days now and we demand a thorough probe into the allegations against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan”.

Senior Vice President of WFI, I D Nanavati spoke to Republic and said, “We have made certain changes for the benefit of the wrestlers and many of them might have not like it. Allegations are only against WFI chief, and not on any other officers of WFI”.

Speaking on Day 2 of the ongoing protests by the Indian wrestler, Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar said, “This is a serious issue. Incidents like this demotivate our sportspersons. For us, security of our female sportspersons is very important”.

Speaking to Republic TV, former Vice President of IOA Sudhanshu Mittal said, "Immediate FIR must be lodged by victims who faced sexual harassment".

ANI reported that the protesting wrestlers arrived at the office of the Union Sports Ministry in Shastri Bhawan. They will meet the officials to discuss the allegations leveled against WFI and its chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh.

CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat was asked to step down from the stage during the ongoing wrestlers’ protest in Jantar Mantar.

The protesting wrestlers will meet the Sports Ministry panel for a meeting on the allegations.

Left attempted to join the wrestlers' protest at Jantar Mantar but faced outright rejection from Indian wrestlers. The wrestlers asked the opportunistic left netas to leave the protest.

"I thank the government for the support. We have come to know from sources that our president is planning to flee the country. So, we request the government to focus on this until the allegations made by our wrestlers are investigated," Bajrang Punia told reporters.

Babita Phogat arrived at the protest venue in Jantar Mantar. As reported by ANI, Phogat said, "I have assured them (wrestlers) that the government is with them. I will try that their issues are resolved today".

Bajrang Punia arrived in Jantar Mantar on Day 2 of the ongoing protests against the WFI and thanked the supporters. He urged everyone to leave politics out of the matter.

Center will form a three-member committee to investigate the allegations made against the WFI by the top wrestlers of India.

As India's top wrestlers continue their protests against WFI on Thursday, they are set to be joined by more wrestlers from Chhatrasal stadium. Several wrestlers including Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia leveled allegations of sexual harassment of women wrestlers by the president Brij Bhushan Singh and coaches of the WFI.

On Wednesday, the Indian sports ministry took cognizance of the matter and sought an explanation from the national wrestling governing body in 72 hours.

Bajrang Punia took to his official Instagram handle late on Wednesday and sought support for their fight for saving wrestling in India.  "As you all know that all the wrestlers are staging protests at Jantar Mantar. I would like to appeal to each and every one of the wrestling field, wrestlers, coaches our gurus to come forward and support us as this is a fight to save our game. Our President is saying it's only 3% and 97% is with him. I would like to request please unite and come in our support as we have to save wrestling and its future. It has given us everything in our life," Punia can be heard saying in the video.

More champions join the wrestlers' protests against the WFI on Thursday.