Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday, assured he would return to New Delhi and meet the protesting wrestlers, adding that he understands the allegations against the Wrestling Federation of India and its president are ‘serious’ in nature. Anurag Thakur was in Hamirpur for a government program even as wrestlers continued their poorest against the wrestling federation for the second successive day in New Delhi.Several wrestlers, including Olympians Vinesh Phogat, Ravi Kumar Dahiya, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, protested against the WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) sexually harassed and intimidated female wrestlers. Vinesh Phogat, who broke down while addressing the media on Thursday, alleged that a few coaches had sexually harassed female wrestlers during national camps in Lucknow.
The protesting wrestlers said they would intensify their protests until their demands were met, adding that they wanted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to step down and the WFI to be dissolved along with several state associations.
Notably, the Sports Ministry sought an explanation from the WFI, saying it would initiate action if there is no response within 72 hours.
“I will meet the players after returning to Delhi. The allegations are very serious. We (Sports Ministry) will take whatever action that is needed,” Anurag Thakur said on Thursday.
