‘He sat with athletes for few minutes…’: Protesting wrestlers deny claims by Sports Minister Anurag Thakur

New Delhi: Indian wrestlers continue to protest against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh and are demanding a probe into the sexual harassment allegations against him. After Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur addressed the press about the meetings conducted with the wrestlers, Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat replied back and spoke their version of the meetings.

Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia alleged that the Sports Minister sat with the wrestlers for a few minutes and his officials were mediating with the wrestlers. Vinesh and Bajrang also questioned why did the authorities only add Babita’s name and not others recommended by them. They added that Babita has made statements about the problems faced during the committee meets.

#WATCH | Delhi: “Sports Minister sat with athletes only for a few minutes…at times we were intimidated in the meeting…”: Protesting Wrestlers on Union Sports Minister’s reaction on their protest against WFI chief & BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh https://t.co/mg2JdkZFSL pic.twitter.com/edzFF3BGrw

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2023

They also denied the claim by the Sports Ministry that the players who had to give their statements were not present. Bajrang said that 15-16 wrestlers gave their statements to the committee.

Vinesh made a big remark that they were intimidated during the meetings and questioned Anurag Thakur for not attending their calls for months.

Anurag Thakur in his remarks said that they conducted 14 meetings and heard the wrestlers for 12 hours. He added that an FIR can be registered in the case.

We heard wrestlers for 12 hours & formed a committee, we also want an impartial probe, there were 14 meetings that were conducted. Everybody was given an opportunity to keep their point of view in front of an oversight committee. FIR can be registered at any PS: Union Sports… pic.twitter.com/AjUhhWzX6g

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2023

Indian Olympic Association chief and former Olympian PT Usha made a statement and called the wrestlers sitting on protest ‘indisciplined’. Her statement got a backlash from Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Mallik and Vinesh Phogat. Sakshi said that even after being a woman athlete, PT Usha is not listening to other women athletes. She added that they are sitting peacefully. Sakshi went on to recall the incident when Usha herself addressed the media regarding her academy.

#WATCH | Delhi: “Being a woman athlete, she (PT Usha) isn’t listening to other women athletes. Where’s indiscipline here, we are sitting here peacefully…She herself cried in front of the media regarding her academy”: Protesting wrestlers hit back at PT Usha https://t.co/s5dcq2DEs4 pic.twitter.com/JTPqN1tjT9

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2023

Vinesh Phogat questioned PT Usha’s remarks and said that the wrestlers are not bringing medals with indisciplined behaviour.

Wrestlers have alleged sexual harassment of multiple women athletes including a minor. The wrestlers began their protest earlier this year and resumed after no action was taken as per what they demanded. Sports Ministry formed an oversight committee and the findings of the committee have not been made public yet.