New Delhi: Indian wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and others are continuing their protest against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and the chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. During the protest, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat was asked to step down from the stage at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
#WATCH | CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat asked to step down from the stage during wrestlers’ protest against WFI at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/sw8WMTdjsk
— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2023
Bajrang Punia was addressing the wrestlers and the public arrived to protest against WFI when Brinda Karat stepped on the stage and asked for the microphone. Punia and other wrestlers asked Karat to step down as they did not want to make it a political matter, they just want the federation chief and their coaches to be sacked. The Olympic medallist said that this is an athletes’ protest and not a political stage.
Vinesh Phogat has accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and the coaches of sexual and mental harassment, while he has denied all such allegations. He also said that the wrestlers who are protesting cannot win an Olympic medal and are agitated because of that. As per the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Union Sports Ministry has asked for an answer from the WFI President on the matter and has cancelled the Women’s National Wrestling Coaching camp.
Delhi | Wrestlers arrives at the office of Union Sports Ministry in Shashtri Bhawan for a meeting with officials amid wrestlers’ protest against WFI & its chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh pic.twitter.com/F38HLWp5bY
— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2023
Wrestlers are also agitated with the WFI due to its arbitrary rules and regulations. Reportedly, the ministry has also called Bajrang Punia and other wrestlers leading the protest at the ministry office for a talk.
On the other hand, Divya Kakran and some wrestlers said that these allegations are not true and they have not witnessed such harassment in the camps.
