Bajrang punia

Demanding strict action against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and several coaches who have been accused of allegedly sexually harassing multiple athletes, hundreds of wrestlers sat on protest in Delhi on Thursday. For the second day, top wrestlers like Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat among others gathered at the Jantar Mantar in Delhi at 10 AM, and were joined by other members from the fraternity. Vinesh Phogat, who is a triple Commonwealth Games medallist, went public with the allegations on Wednesday, before the country's sports ministry asked the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to respond to the charges within 72 hours. The wrestlers addressed a press conference on Thursday. Bajrang Punia, who had won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, told the media: "This is not a political protest. This is a protest for our rights. We thank all the wrestlers for joining us." Vinesh Phogat, on the other hand, said: "Women … [Read more...] about This Protest Is For Our Rights: Wrestler Bajrang Punia On Second Day Of Agitation Against Federation | Wrestling News

In an unprecedented move, the country's top wrestlers, including Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia and world championship medallist Vinesh Phogat, staged a protest against the "dictatorship" of national federation President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Wednesday. The wrestlers did not share the exact details of their grievances or their demands but it was clear that they are fed up with the way the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is being run by Singh, who is also a BJP MP from Kaiserganj. Bajrang, Vinesh, Rio Olympics medallist Sakshi Malik, world championship medallist Sarita Mor, Sangeeta Phogat, Satyawart Malik, Jitender Kinha and CWG medallist Sumit Malik were among 30 wrestlers who have assembled at Jantar Mantar. "Our fight is not against the government or Sports Authority of India (SAI). This is against WFI. We will share details later in the day. 'Yeh ab aar paar ki ladai hai' (It's a fight to the finish)," Bajrang Punia told PTI. Bajrang's support … [Read more...] about Wrestlers Stage Protest Against WFI President’s ‘Dictatorship’, Vow To Fight Till End | Wrestling News

Vinesh Phogat, the first Indian woman wrestler to win gold in both Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, on Wednesday raised some serious allegations against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its president Brijbhushan Sharan Singh. The veteran athlete, who has represented India at the Olympics too, said that "national coaches molested female wrestlers over the years and were given death threats by WFI officials." She along with other top Indian wrestlers sat a massive protest at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Wednesday. The wrestlers called for the removal of the WFI president from the post. "We will not compete in any international competition until WFI President is removed", Bajrang Punia, Olympic bronze medallist wrestler, declared at the protest. Singh has been at the helm of the WFI since 2011. He was elected President of WFI for the third consecutive time in February 2019. "We were threatened that our careers will come to an end if we speak. Federation … [Read more...] about Wrestling Protest: Women Wrestlers Molested By National Coaches, Alleges Vinesh Phogat; Federation Chief Responds | Wrestling News

The sports ministry has sought a response from the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) "within the next 72 hours" after top wrestlers including Olympian Vinesh Phogat, Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik alleged gross misconduct by the sports body's coaches and president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Vinesh Phogat, the first Indian woman wrestler to win gold in both the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, said that "national coaches molested female wrestlers over the years and were given death threats by WFI officials." She along with other top Indian wrestlers sat a massive protest at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Wednesday. The wrestlers have called for the removal of the WFI president from the post. The centre, in a statement, has made it clear that if the WFI does not respond in the next three days, the sports ministry "will proceed to initiate action against the federation in terms of the provisions of the National Sports Development Code, 2011." "Taking … [Read more...] about “Respond In 3 Days”: Centre To Wrestling Body On Sexual Harassment Charge | Wrestling News

The meeting of the Executive Committee and the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Wrestling Federation of India will be held on January 22 in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, the president of the federation, will also take part in the meeting. On Thursday, ace grapplers arrived at the office of the Union Sports Ministry in Shashtri Bhawan for a meeting with officials amid wrestlers' protest against WFI and its chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh. "We are going to meet the officials of Union Sports Ministry and will apprise the media about it once the meeting concludes," said wrestler Bajrang Punia amid wrestlers' protest against WFI at Jantar Mantar. Earlier in the day, champion wrestler and BJP leader Babita Phogat arrived at the protest site at Jantar Mantar in Delhi where wrestlers continued their sit-in protest for the second day demanding action against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and other officials against alleged sexual exploitation of … [Read more...] about Wrestling Federation of India’s Executive Committee Meeting On Sunday, President Brijbhushan Singh To Take Part | Wrestling News

Sports Minister Anurag Thakur will be meet wrestlers at 10 pm on Thursday over sexual harassment allegations against wrestling body officials. The country's ace wrestlers on Thursday continued their protest against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) over allegations of sexual exploitation of multiple athletes over the years by the federation chief and several coaches stating that they will continue to protest until their demands are met. "Today is the second day of our protest and we haven't got any satisfactory response from the government. We will make sure Brij Bhushan Singh resigns and is jailed. We will also file a case," wrestler Vinesh Phogat said while addressing the media at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Vinesh Phogat had previously alleged that coaches who are favourites of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) misbehave with women wrestlers and harass them. She also accused the WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually exploiting women athletes and calling her … [Read more...] about Sports Minister Anurag Thakur To Meet Wrestlers Over Sexual Harassment Allegations | Wrestling News

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said on Thursday that the allegations levelled by wrestlers against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its chief are serious in nature and that he will meet the wrestlers once he returns to the national capital and listen to them. Many wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Mallik, have levelled charges of sexual harassment of women wrestlers by the president and coaches of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and of mismanagement in the functioning of the federation. Thakur said he will meet the wrestlers and the required action will be taken. "Government has worked for the welfare and upliftment of sports and players. India has won a lot of medals and delivered good performances at the global level. Work has been done to make federations better. Allegations levelled by wrestlers are serious in nature. Taking swift action, the Government of India sent a notice to WFI and sought a reply within 72 hours. Camp has been postponed. … [Read more...] about “Allegations Are Serious In Nature”: Anurag Thakur On Wrestlers Protesting Against Federation | Wrestling News

The country's ace wrestlers on Thursday continued their protest against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) over allegations of sexual exploitation of multiple athletes over the years by the federation chief and several coaches stating that they will continue to protest until their demands are met. "Today is the second day of our protest and we haven't got any satisfactory response from the government. We will make sure Brij Bhushan Singh resigns and is jailed. We will also file a case," wrestler Vinesh Phogat said while addressing the media at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Vinesh Phogat had previously alleged that coaches who are favourites of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) misbehave with women wrestlers and harass them. She also accused the WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually exploiting women athletes and calling her a 'khota sikka' after her defeat at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Singh has denied the allegations. The Union Sports Ministry has sought an … [Read more...] about Will Make Sure Wrestling Federation President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh Resigns, Is Jailed: Vinesh Phogat | Wrestling News

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday assured protesting wrestlers that stern action would be taken if any Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) coach or official is found guilty, sources told NDTV. Thakur met with the wrestlers including Babita Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia among others after their second day of protest at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi over allegations of sexual misconduct by WFI coaches and its president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. In the meet, that started around 10 pm on Thursday night, the protesting wrestlers demanded the resignation of Brij Bhushan and the disbanding of the wrestling body, according to sources. However, Thakur told them to wait for an official reply from the WFI that the sports ministry had sought on Wednesday, the sources added. But, the wrestlers are not ready to settle at anything less than resignation of the WFI president. The meeting went on for close to four hours. There is a possibility that the parties might meet again … [Read more...] about Sack Wrestling Body Chief, Say Athletes Over #MeToo. Wait, Says Minister | Wrestling News

Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, Ravi Dahiya, and Deepak Punia on Friday wrote to PT Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association on "sexual harassment" complaints against Wrestling Federation India chairman Brij Bhushan Saran Singh. In a letter to the IOA president Usha, the star grapplers accused the WFI chairman of sexual exploitation and financial irregularities. @PMOIndia @AmitShah @ianuragthakur @PTUshaOfficial pic.twitter.com/PwhJjlawPg — Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) January 20, 2023 On Thursday several ace wrestlers of the country including Phogat, Malik and Bajrang Punia participated in the sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in the national capital, that began on Wednesday. Wrestlers have levelled charges of sexual harassment of women wrestlers by the WFI president and its coaches and of mismanagement in the functioning of the federation. They demanded a complete overhaul of the federation. Indian wrestler and Commonwealth … [Read more...] about Protesting Wrestlers Write To IOA Chief PT Usha On Alleged Sexual Harassment Complaints Against WFI President | Wrestling News