Charkhi Dadri: Former Indian wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat has welcomed the federal government’s transfer to fulfill the highest wrestlers protesting towards the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Singh, who has been accused of sexually harassing feminine athletes, for dialogue to resolve all their points. Welcoming the invitation prolonged by Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur to the grapplers, Mahavir Singh Phogat hoped {that a} answer would come out of the assembly.
In a late-night tweet, Union Minister Anurag Thakur mentioned that the federal government is prepared to have a dialogue with the wrestlers on their points. “I have once again invited the wrestlers for the same,” he tweeted.
The authorities is prepared to have a dialogue with the wrestlers on their points.
I’ve as soon as once more invited the wrestlers for a similar.
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) June 6, 2023
The wrestlers have been protesting to press their demand for motion towards BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Brij Bhushan Singh over sexual harassment allegations confronted by him. “This is very good. The Government woke up after so many days and Anurag Thakur invited the wrestlers, so I would like to say that a solution must come out,” mentioned Phogat, a Dronacharya awardee and wrestling coach.
He is the uncle of Vinesh Phogat who together with different wrestlers has been protesting towards WFI president. Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia reached residence of Anurag Thakur on Wednesday morning for talks on their calls for.
Wrestlers Resume Govt Duties
Meanwhile, Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, who’ve been main the protest towards the nation’s wrestling federation Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, have resumed their duties within the Railways. Olympians Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat have been protesting because the starting of this 12 months with a purpose to press for the elimination and arrest of the WFI chief over allegations of sexual harassment.
On May 28, wrestlers had deliberate a march and protest in entrance of the brand new Parliament, regardless of the imposition of Section 144 within the space. They had been detained on their means by the Delhi police and FIR was filed towards them underneath Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 147, 149, 186, 188, 332, 353, Section 3 of the PDPP Act. The protest web site was additionally cleared by the Delhi Police.
Following their elimination from Jantar Mantar, Wrestlers arrived in Haridwar to immerse their medals within the Ganga. However, they later situation a five-day ultimatum to the Centre to behave towards the WFI chief following the intervention of farmer chief Naresh Tikait. The Khap and farmer leaders have additionally demanded the arrest of the WFI chief on the earliest.
Two FIRs Filed Against WFI Chief
The Delhi Police have registered 10 complaints and two FIRs towards WFI chief Brij Bhusan Singh. The first FIR pertains to allegations by a minor and has been registered underneath the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, whereas the second FIR is said to outraging modesty.
WFI chief has nevertheless mentioned that he’ll “hang himself” if even one accusation towards him is true. “I will hang myself even if one allegation against me turns out to be true. I stand by my statement..,” mentioned Brij Bhushan to the media in Gonda after the FIRs.
United World Wrestling (UWW) has condemned the detention of wrestlers throughout their march to the brand new parliament constructing. It has demanded motion towards the WFI chief. “UWW firmly condemns the treatment and detention of the wrestlers. It expresses its disappointment over the lack of results of the investigations so far. UWW urges the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the allegations,” the world wrestling physique mentioned in a press release.
“UWW will request additional details about the subsequent elective basic meeting from the 10A and the Ad-hoc Committee of the WFI. The 45-day deadline that was initially set to carry this elective meeting shall be revered.
Failing to take action could lead UWW to droop the federation, thereby forcing the athletes to compete underneath a impartial flag. It is reminded that UWW already took a measure on this state of affairs by reallocating the Asian Championship deliberate in New Delhi earlier this 12 months,” it added.
“For several months, United World Wrestling has followed with great concern the situation in India where wrestlers are protesting over allegations of abuse and harassment by the President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). It has taken due note that the WFI President has been put aside at an early stage and is currently not in charge,” UWW said additional.
“As it has already done since the beginning of this situation, UWW will hold a meeting with the wrestlers to inquire about their condition and safety and reconfirm our support for a fair and just resolution of their concerns,” it added.
