Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist wrestler Bajrang Punia has dismissed Sports Minister Anurag Thakur’s declare that he spent 12 hours with the wrestlers to to resolve the issue.
Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik are the three central characters throughout the renewed protests in opposition to the Wrestling Federation of India president, who has been accused of sexual harassment and intimidation by the grapplers.
“A few wrestlers are sitting in protest at Jantar Mantar. I’ve spent 12 hours with them — seven hours on the first day and 5 hours the following day. I had listened to all their grievances, held a press conference at 2-2.30 at night, normal a committee after chatting with them.
“They had asked to add a member and gave Babita Phogat’s name and we added her to the committee. There is nothing in our mind, we wanted an impartial probe,” Thakur acknowledged at a press conference on Thursday.
#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 response on their protest in opposition to WFI chief & BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh https://t.co/mg2JdkZFSL pic.twitter.com/edzFF3BGrw
— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2023
However, Bajrang Punia refuted Thakur’s claims. “Once ask the sports minister for how long you were sitting among the players,” he suggested ANI.
“He sat for 2-4 minutes with the players. His officials were mediating with the players.”
Vinesh Phogat moreover echoed Punia’s allegations and acknowledged the sports activities actions minister didn’t even spend 12 minutes with the sportspersons and they also had been at events had been intimidated by the meeting.
On Friday, the Supreme Court will in all probability be listening to the plea by seven wrestlers searching for registration of FIR in opposition to the WFI president.
The SC well-known that there are important allegations which might be contained throughout the petition by wrestlers who’ve represented India. The apex courtroom moreover issued uncover to Delhi Police pertaining to the plea filed by the wrestlers.
Over the ultimate 4 days, the wrestlers have slept and expert on the protest site.
