The wrestlers, protesting against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, will continue their meeting with Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday.
The protestors, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik, had met Thakur at his Delhi residence late on Thursday. The meeting that began around 10 pm on Thursday lasted three hours and though it was fruitful, many points remained to be discussed, reported ANI.
Thakur who was in Chandigarh had returned to his Delhi residence on Thursday to meet with wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshee Mallikkh, Bajrang Punia and Ravi Dahiya, who levelled charges against WFI chief on grounds of sexual harassment and mismanagement.
Sources close to the wrestlers had earlier told media that they refused to back down from their demand that the government immediately disband the WFI. Though the government wants them to end their protest, the athletes are adamant that the WFI should be disbanded first. "The government can resolve other issues later. We are fine with that, but it must disband the WFI first," a source close to the wrestlers told PTI.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports have emerged that the Union Minister has asked Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to step down within 24 hours. This could not be confirmed as neither the wrestlers nor the WFI has responded to media after the meeting.
Earlier on Thursday, a team of wrestlers, including Bajrang, Vinesh, Anshu Malik, Sakshee Mallikkh and her husband Satyawrat Kadiyan, had Secretary Sujata Chaturvedi and Sports Authority of India Director General Sandip Pradhan but the latter did not "promise any action."
Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik address a press conference after a meeting with officials of Union Sports Ministry | PTI
The wrestlers were addressing the media after meeting Union sports ministry officials in Shastri Bhawan. “We are not happy with the response, and we request PM [Narendra Modi] sir to ensure justice,” said Rio Olympics medallist Sakshee Mallikkh.
Former wrestler and BJP leader Babita Phogat was also part of the meeting to break the deadlock. The former wrestler and BJP leader arrived at the protest site at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to "assure them that the government is with them."
Babita, who is a deputy director in the Haryana Sports and Youth Affairs Department, and a former wrestler had earlier tweeted, "I stand with all my fellow players in this matter of wrestling. I assure all of you that I will work to raise this issue with the government at every level, and the future will be decided the way players feel right."
According to Olympic medal-winning wrestlers, Singh has been sexually harassing female players and intimidating the wrestlers. Singh has denied all allegations.
Though the sports ministry has demanded a response from WFI to the allegations within 72 hours, the the WFI is yet to respond. According to the ministry, if the WFI fails to provide a reply within the given time, they will initiate action in accordance with the provisions of the National Sports Development Code, 2011.
