Accused WFI chief Bhushan backs off, to address media on Jan 22

New Delhi: Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, an accused of sexual exploitation of athletes, will release his statement on January 22. His son Pratik Singh informed that the accused has not authorised to speak on the matter. “We’re not formally authorized to speak anything on this issue. He (Brij Bhushan […]

New Delhi: Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, an accused of sexual exploitation of athletes, will release his statement on January 22. His son Pratik Singh informed that the accused has not authorised to speak on the matter. "We're not formally authorized to speak anything on this issue. He (Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh) will address the media on Jan 22nd on Annual General Meet of WFI. We've given our official statement to Sports Ministry," siad Pratik Bhushan Singh. Accused WFI chief and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was supposed to hold media conference today to put up his side in front of media. Earlier, Singh dismissed all the allegations and refused to submit his resignation despite a strong roar by the wrestlers, demanding him to step down from his post.

Don't Make It A Political Issue: Bajrang Punia

Wrestler Bajrang Punia said, "We urge political leaders not to come on stage as it is athletes' fight. We fight for the nation, we can fight for our rights as well. I would again urge political leaders not to make it a political issues. He added, "WFI chief has already given the issue a political turn as he sometimes blames religion or political outfits like Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). We are only players and not political leaders. In the latest, members of Khap Panchayat from Haryana also joined the protest, extending their support to the athletes. Read More :- MANY DETAINED AFTER ATTEMPTING TO SCREEN BBC DOCUMENTARY AT DELHI UNIVERSITY

Meeting with Union Anurag Thakur

Wrestlers met Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur at his residence as the meeting continued for hours, but still ended on an undecisive note on Friday morning. As per media reports, the protesting wrestlers can meet with the union minister again today. The protestors have urged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to provide justice to the wrestlers. A day earlier, Wrestler Sakshee Malikk informed that they have talked to a few officials in the central government who have given them mere "assurance" which is not "satisfactory." The wrestlers have alleged that the federation should be dissolved and a new one should be formed for better function. The top wrestlers have accused that the existing committees including the ones of every state exploit athletes.

Also Read: Wrestlers’ Protest: First Brinda Karat, now Vijendra Singh asked to step down from stage

Day 3 of the protest

The wretlers have been protesting for the third today, demanding justice for all the athletes who have faced sexual and mental assault from the wrestlers. The protesters have sat on the Jantar Mantar in the national capital.

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