Woman Chief For Apex Wrestling Body, Withdrawal Of FIRs Among Athletes' Demands To Centre

Wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik met Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur and placed a list of four demands as conditions to withdraw their protest.

Wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik have presented four demands to Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur. Among their requests are the appointment of a woman chief for the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and the withdrawal of police FIRs filed against them, reported news agency IANS. 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.

According to sources, the wrestlers are calling for transparent and impartial elections within the WFI, emphasizing the need for a woman leader. Additionally, they have expressed their objection to the involvement of Brij Bhushan Singh or any of his family members in the federation. The wrestlers have reiterated their demand for Brij Bhushan Singh's arrest as well.

This development raises the question of whether the government has the authority to intervene in the functioning of the WFI or if there will be a change in the organization's constitution.

Following their meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the protesting wrestlers received a second invitation from the government. 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.

Sakshi Malik had earlier told IANS, "We will maintain transparency throughout this process. Our decisions will not be made behind closed doors. We will discuss the government's proposal with our senior athletes and supporters, and only when everyone is in agreement, will we consider accepting the proposal."

Farmers' Body Bhartiya Kisan Union, which has come out in support of the wrestlers, has called off its June 9 protest after the athletes met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday.