Severe allegations have been levelled in opposition to Wrestling Federation of India (WFT) chief and few coaches by high wrestlers of the nation as they stage a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar leading to a large controversy. Wrestlers together with Bajarang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik Sangeeta Phogat, Sonam Malik and Anshu Malik are among the many star Indian grapplers who’ve been a part of this ongoing protest that started on January 18 they usually’ve been demanding the disbandment of the WFI.
Right here’s a have a look at the timeline of the protest up to now
January 18: Olympic medallists Bajarang Punia, Sakshi Malik amongst different high wrestlers collect at Jantar Mantar within the nationwide capital to stage a ‘dharna’ in opposition to the WFI whereas asking for main modifications within the governing physique for wrestling
The Allegations
Vinesh broke down whereas answering queries from media gathered on the protest website as she made beautiful accusations in opposition to WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Vinesh alleged he Brij Bhushan has been sexually exploiting feminine wrestlers for a few years. She added a number of coaches on the nationwide camp have additionally exploited ladies wrestlers and claimed there are few ladies on the camp who method wrestlers on the behest of the WFI president.
Dying Threats
The 28-year-old Vinesh although mentioned she hasn’t confronted sexual exploitation however claimed to have obtained loss of life threats on the behest of Brij Bhushan for having drawn Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s consideration to points that plague Indian wrestling.
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‘Our Battle Towards WFI’
Bajrang Punia mentioned the protest will proceed until the take away of present WFI president who he claimed makes use of abusive language in opposition to wrestlers.
“Our struggle will not be in opposition to the federal government or the Sports activities Authority of India (SAI). That is in opposition to WFI. ‘Yeh ab aar paar ki ladai hai’ (It’s a struggle to the end). We are going to proceed this protest till WFI President is eliminated,” Bajrang informed PTI.
“We won’t compete in any worldwide competitors till the WFI President is eliminated. It is a struggle to avoid wasting Indian wrestling. Whereas we’re denied assist and help of international coaches, the President has employed a international coach for his personal academy in Gonda. He makes use of abusive language in opposition to wrestlers, we are able to even present you movies of that.” Punia later mentioned whereas addressing the media.
Brij Bhushan Rejects All Allegations
Brij Bhushan, a sitting MP from Kaiserganj in Uttar Pradesh, responded to the claims saying he’s able to be hanged ought to the allegations be proved. He refused to give up.
“There is no such thing as a reality in any of the allegations. Why ought to I give up? Even when one girl wrestler comes and proves the sexual harassment cost, I’m able to be hanged. There’s an industrialist behind it (conspiracy),” mentioned the 66-year-old.
“There might be an investigation by the CBI or police. There is no such thing as a dictatorship. These similar wrestlers had met me per week again and didn’t say something,” he added.
Sports activities Ministry Offers 72-hour Ultimatum to WFI
Appearing swiftly after the damning allegations had been made in opposition to WFI, the Sports activities Ministry gave the wrestling physique 72 hours to reply to all of the allegations after taking “a really severe view of the matter”.
In an announcement, the Ministry mentioned if WFI fails to furnish the reply throughout the subsequent 72 hours, it’s going to proceed to provoke motion in opposition to the federation when it comes to the provisions of the Nationwide Sports activities Growth Code, 2011.
DCW Points Discover to Sports activities Ministry, Delhi Police
Later within the day (January 18), the Delhi Fee for Girls (DCW) issued notices to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports activities and town police. DCW chief Swati Maliwal additionally met the protesting wrestlers. Panel requested police to register an FIR into the matter.
January 19: Protest continues. Three-time CWG medallist and BJP chief Babita Phogat met the wrestlers at Jantar Mantar, assuring them their calls for will likely be met.
‘Will Attempt to Get The Answer’
Babita Phogat mentioned, “I’ll attempt to get the answer. I’m a wrestler first after which a political individual. I do know their ache and I’ll attempt to get the answer that the wrestlers need.”
Wrestlers Known as For a Assembly
Bajrang, his spouse Sangeeta, Vinesh, Sarita Mor, Anshu Malik, Antim Pangal had been referred to as for a gathering with Sports activities Secretary Sujata Chaturvedi. Sports activities Authority of India DG Sandeep Pradhan and Joint Secretary (Sports activities) Kunal had been additionally part of the assembly with the wrestlers.
CPI(M) Chief Requested to Depart Protest
Requesting to not politicise the protests, Bajrang Punia requested CPI (M) chief Brinda Karat to depart the positioning.
SP, Congress Demand Resignation of WFI Chief
Opposition events in UP ask for exemplary motion in opposition to Brij Bhushan.
Samajwadi Social gathering spokesperson Sunil Singh Sajan mentioned, “Nothing might be extra disturbing from this information that girls who had performed for our nation within the Olympics and different competitions must protest right this moment in opposition to their sexual harassment.”
Congress regional president and former minister Nakul Dubey informed PTI, “WFI chief Braj Bhushan Singh ought to be sacked instantly and an FIR ought to be registered for a correct investigation. Additionally, the BJP ought to take exemplary motion in opposition to him and show that its slogans like ‘Beti Bachao…’ aren’t only for the sake of publicity.”
BJP MP Brijendra Singh asks for a radical probe.
“Topmost sportspersons of the nation are protesting. This isn’t one thing which might be or ought to be taken flippantly. The Ministry of Sports activities and Youth Affairs has taken cognisance of it and sought a reply from the Wrestling Federation. However there ought to a radical inquiry into the matter. Take it to its logical conclusion after which no matter comes out motion ought to be taken into it,” Singh informed PTI.
Wrestlers Meet With Sports activities Minister on Thursday Night time
Union Sports activities Minister Anurag Thakur held a marathon assembly at his residence with high wrestlers but it surely remained inconclusive. The wrestlers left Thakur’s home at 1:45 am and didn’t communicate to the reporters ready outdoors.
January 20: As per studies, one other assembly will likely be held between the wrestlers and Thakur on Friday. Brij Bhushan can’t be pressured to resign by the Sports activities Ministroy until it receives a written reply from WFI on the allegations.
WFI Chief Vows to Expose Conspiracy
Early Friday morning, Brij Bhushan invited media for a press convention on the Wrestling Coaching Centre in Nawabganj in Gonda district, Uttar Pradesh. The WFI chief mentioned he’ll “expose conspiracy in opposition to wrestling and dignity of feminine wrestlers” on Friday afternoon (12 PM IST).
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