'Wrestlers to give bigger protest call if…': Bajrang Punia issues ultimatum
1 min read 10 Jun 2023, 04:41 PM ISTAce wrestler Bajrang Punia has warned of a 'bigger' protest if the government doesn't take action by next week on sexual harassment charges against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh.
PremiumAce wrestler Bajrang Punia has warned of a ‘bigger’ protest if the government does not take action by next week. Top athletes have been leading an agitation in the national capital since the beginning of this year to seek sweeping changes within the Wrestling Federation of India. Sexual harassment changes have also been levelled against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh.
“We have told the government that if action is not taken by June 15, then we will give a bigger call for protest and take a decision," Punia said.
Earlier on Wednesday, the wrestlers had held a meeting with Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur. Punia said the government had assured that the ongoing probe by Delhi Police would be completed before June 15.
The Union Minister said that an Internal Complaint Committee of the wrestling federation will soon be constituted. It will be headed by a woman.
"We have demanded that all FIRs filed against wrestlers be withdrawn. They also requested that Brij Bhushan Singh and his associates be asked not to stand for the elections again. The wrestlers promised not to hold any fresh protests before June 15," said Thakur.
The long-running protest was paused earlier this week as the government promised to conclude its probe. The breakthrough came just days after wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat threatened to throw their international medals in the Ganges river last week.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police Special Investigation Team probing the sexual harassment allegations is likely to submit in the court its investigation report in the two cases registered against him by next week. Delhi Police officials said that the SIT has questioned more than 180 people.
In late May, police had dragged away and detained several protesting wrestlers and dozens of their supporters as they attempted to march to parliament.
(With inputs from agencies)
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