Opposing wrestlers: An hour-long meeting between the wrestlers and Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur remained inconclusive on Thursday night. According to sources, the meeting will resume today (January 20) at 8 am as the wrestlers refused to back down from their demand that the government immediately dissolve the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
Amidst the ongoing protest, the marathon meeting started at around 10 pm on Thursday night and lasted till 1:45 am, but no solution was found. Olympic medalists Bajrang Punia, Ravi Dahiya, Sakshi Malik and World Championship medalist Vinesh Phogat were part of the meeting.
According to reports, the meeting was nevertheless productive, but several issues remained unresolved. As a result, the meeting will continue this morning at the Sports Minister’s residence. It is learned that the government will also allow Speaker Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to present an explanation on the matter.
Read also: Wrestlers protest: Top players ready to lodge FIR against WFI president; PT Usha ensured the investigation
WFI chief accused of sexual harassment by wrestlers
The Indian sports community has been rocked by an explosive revelation made by star wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Wednesday, in which she accused WFI chief and BJP MP Singh of sexually abusing women wrestlers over the years. However, Singh has categorically denied the allegations leveled against him.
Read also: ‘Is this a better environment…’: Congress hits out at PM Modi after WFI chief alleges sexual harassment
The WFI is yet to respond to the Sports Ministry, which on Wednesday gave the wrestling body 72 hours to respond to allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation by its president, several women athletes.
Government wants wrestlers to end their protest
According to sources, the government wants the wrestlers to end their protest but the athletes are adamant that the WFI be dissolved first. During the hour-long meeting, the wrestlers were asked to end their strike and assured that their grievances would be addressed.
It is to be noted here that 66-year-old Singh was elected unopposed as the president of WFI for the third consecutive term in February 2019.
(With inputs from PTI)