Wrestlers Protest highlights: IOA forms committee to probe allegations of sexual harassment against WFI chief

The Indian Olympic Association on Friday formed a seven-member committee, headed by M C Mary Kom, to probe the allegations of sexual harassment against Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh by top grapplers. The wrestlers also reiterated their demand that WFI be disbanded and its president be sacked.

Amid allegations of sexual harassment against BJP MP andWFIchief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the NCP on Friday asked Union ministers Anurag Thakur and Smriti Irani to fulfil their duty and ensure justice for the wrestlers demanding Singh’s resignation. (PTI)

Indian Olympic Association forms committee to probe wrestlers' allegations of sexual harassment against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to address media on Jan 22 on Annual General Meet of WFI

Mahua Moitra slams BJP govt over inaction against WFI chief

TMC MP Mahua Moitra on Friday came out in support of wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar demanding the ouster of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur need to find a solution to the issue "as soon as possible". Singh is accused of sexual harassment and intimidation and top wrestlers of the country have vowed to intensify their protest and lodge multiple FIRs against Singh if WFI is not disbanded immediately. They also claimed that there is no "satisfactory response" from the government to their demand though it had assured them of satisfactory action".

PTI

Wrestlers leave for meet with Anurag Thakur

Wrestlers to continue protest at Jantar Mantar tomorrow if demands not met

Wrestlers to meet Sports Minister Anurag Thakur at 6 pm

We are fighting for our self respect, says Vinesh Phogat

People are forced out of power, they don't leave: Vinesh Phogat demands WFI chief's resignation

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat addresses media at the protest site in Delhi

Wrestlers to meet Sports Minister Anurag Thakur at 6 pm

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) calls emergency Executive Council meeting to discuss wrestlers demand

(PTI)

If needed we will take legal action against WFI, says protesting wrestler Bajrang Punia

Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia on Friday addressed the media in a press conference held by protesting wrestlers here at Jantar Mantar and said that if needed, they "will take the legal route" to get their demands fulfilled.

Punia said, they "have only one demand which is to dissolve the federation" adding that the protesting wrestlers will go back to their homes if their demands are fulfilled by the government.

IANS

A wrestler and muscleman, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh not new to controversies

A wrestlerhimself and a muscleman, whose writ runs large in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda and Baharaich districts, BJP Lok Sabha member and president of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassmentof female wrestlers, is not new to controversies.

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WFI chief compares wrestlers' protest with Shaheen Bagh stir, refuses to quit

Under-fire Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Friday termed the protest by the country's top grapplers "dharna of Shaheen Bagh" and reiterated that he won't quit from the post.

The agitating wrestlers on Friday reached out to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), demanding formation of an enquiry committee to probe the allegations of sexual harassment against Singh, a day after threatening to lodge multiple FIRs against theWFIchief.

However, Singh has stuck to his stand to not relinquish the post.

PTI

Our fight only against WFI, chief Brij giving it a political turn, says Bajrang Punia

Sitting here after being elected, not because of anyone's mercy, says WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Wrestlers request IOA to appoint committee to probe allegations against WFI head

Protesting wrestlers request IOA to appoint committee,in consultation with them,to enquire into sexual harassment complaints against WFI President as well as torun affairs of WFI.

Vijender Singh calls for CBI probe into allegations against WFI head

Wrestlers adamant, meeting with Anurag Thakur inconclusive

Top Indian wrestlers' meeting with Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur remained inconclusive on Thursday night as they refused to back down from their demand that the government immediately disband the Wrestling Federation of India.

The marathon meeting began around 10 pm on Thursday, the second day of the wrestlers' protest against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

The wrestlers left Thakur's house at 1:45 am and did not speak to the reporters waiting outside.(PTI)

Boxer Vijender Singh joins wrestlers' protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi

WFI head to now hold press conference after 4 pm

Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is to now hold a press conference after 4 pm at the Wrestling Training Centre in Nawabganj, Gonda district, Uttar Pradesh, today.

WFI Emergency General Council in Ayodhya

It has been learnt that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has called for an Emergency General Council in Ayodhya on Sunday to discuss the issue.

"Yes, a meeting has been called and future course of action will be discussed. I can't say ifWFIPresident will resign or not. It needs to be discussed," aWFIofficial told PTI.

WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to hold press conference at 12 pm today

Wrestlers to continue their protest till WFI President is removed

A team of wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Anshu, Sakshi Malik, and her husband Satyawrat Kadiyan, was then called for a meeting with the government as they discussed their issues with Sports Secretary Sujata Chaturvedi, Director General SAI Sandip Pradhan and Joint Secretary (Sports) Kunal.

During the one-hour meeting, the wrestlers were asked to end their protest and assured that their grievances will be addressed.

However, the wresters wanted a concrete and immediate action and decided to continue their protest unless WFI President is removed and the national federation is disbanded along with all the state wrestling associations in the country.

Later addressing the media, Vinesh did not disclose what transpired at the meeting but said, "Unfortunately we did not get a satisfactory response."

Ravi Dahiya, Anshu Malik plead for more support

Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Ravi Dahiya pleaded for more support while young Anshu Malik narrated how WFI President's presence in the players' hotel in Bulgaria during the world junior championship last year made the women wrestlers uncomfortable. It may be noted that 21-year-old Anshu had not competed in that championship as she was injured.

Unhappy with government assurance without action, wrestlers ready to lodge FIR against WFI President

The wrestlers, who have accused the WFI President of sexual exploitation and intimidation, continued their dharna for the second day as more grapplers joined them in what they called was a fight to give "a new life to Indian wrestling."

Three-time CWG medallist and BJP leader Babita Phogat came to the protest site with a "message" from the government and assured the grapplers that their demands will be met as the athletes took turn to share their bad experiences.

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