New Delhi, May 3 (). Wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who is protesting against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, has alleged that instead of taking concrete action, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur tried to hush up the matter by setting up an oversight panel. .
In the second phase of their protest, the wrestlers are demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan. Brij Bhushan is also a BJP MP.
Vinesh told reporters, “We ended our protest after talking to the Union Sports Minister (Anurag Thakur) and all the athletes told him about the sexual harassment.” They tried to hush up the matter by forming a committee there, but no action was taken at that time.
The veteran wrestler said it is difficult to stand against a powerful person who has been abusing his power and position for a very long time.
The Olympian further revealed that for the first time the wrestlers had met an official before starting their protest at Jantar Mantar. But, no action was taken.
Vinesh said, three-four months before the sit-in at Jantar Mantar, we met an official, we told him everything about how women athletes are sexually harassed and mentally tortured, when no action was taken Then we sat on dharna.
Meanwhile, Brij Bhushan has refused to resign from the wrestling association, saying it would mean that he has accepted the allegations.
“If I resign, it means I have accepted his charge, my tenure is about to end,” he said. Until a new party is formed and the government does not constitute an IOA committee, elections will continue to be held under that committee and after that my term will end.
The wrestlers’ protest has become a major political issue, with several opposition leaders showing solidarity with the athletes and demanding the resignation of the WFI chief.
PK/SKP
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