Wrestlers' Protest: WFI To Have Grievance Redressal Panel Headed By Woman, Says Anurag Thakur

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur has said that an internal grievance redressal committee will be formed in the Wrestling Federation of India.

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur met wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Satyawart Kadian on Wednesday. ( Image Source :PTI )

Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Thakur on Wednesday said that an internal grievance redressal committee will be formed in the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and this should be headed by a woman. Anurag Thakur said this after meeting the protesting wrestlers at his residence in New Delhi. At the meeting, the wrestlers placed four demands —  arrest of WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, withdrawal of FIRs against the wrestlers, removal of Brij Bhushan and any of his family member from the WFI, and appointment of a woman president in the apex wrestling body. The sports minister has so far agreed to at least one of these demands — that of withdrawal of FIRs.

VIDEO | "The athletes said they want the chargesheet to be filed by June 15, till then they will not stage any protest. All this (wrestlers' demands) was discussed in mutual agreement," says Union Minister Anurag Thakur. pic.twitter.com/WqiAoxAADY

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 7, 2023

The wrestlers have been demanding a probe against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and his arrest, accusing him of sexually exploiting upcoming wrestlers, including a minor.

"I invited the players to talk. There has been a positive conversation. The meeting lasted for about 6 hours. The Delhi Police has been asked to file the charge sheet by June 15. The WFI election will also be completed by June 30," he said.

"An internal grievance redressal committee in the WFI will be formed and it will be headed by a woman. Women players will get security as required," he said. Thakur further said that the wrestlers have agreed to suspend their protest till June 15.

Earlier, protesting wrestler Sakshi Malik said: "The government has sought time till June 15 for the investigation to conclude. The protest is not over yet. The Delhi Police will withdraw FIRs filed against wrestlers on May 28." This comes after a previous meeting with Anurag Thakur in January, during which their protest was suspended after the formation of a committee. Notably, former wrestler and BJP leader Babita Phogat played a mediating role at that time.

Catch all the LIVE updates on the Wrestlers' protest here.

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