Serious allegations have been levelled towards Wrestling Federation of India (WFT) chief and few coaches by prime wrestlers of the nation as they stage a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar leading to an enormous controversy. Wrestlers together with Bajarang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik Sangeeta Phogat, Sonam Malik and Anshu Malik are among the many star Indian grapplers who’ve been half of this ongoing protest that started on January 18 they usually’ve been demanding the disbandment of the WFI.

Here’s a take a look at the timeline of the protest up to now

January 18: Olympic medallists Bajarang Punia, Sakshi Malik amongst different prime wrestlers collect at Jantar Mantar within the nationwide capital to stage a ‘dharna’ towards the WFI whereas asking for main adjustments within the governing physique for wrestling

The Allegations

Vinesh broke down whereas answering queries from media gathered on the protest web site as she made beautiful accusations towards WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Vinesh alleged he Brij Bhushan has been sexually exploiting feminine wrestlers for a few years. She added a number of coaches on the nationwide camp have additionally exploited ladies wrestlers and claimed there are few ladies on the camp who strategy wrestlers on the behest of the WFI president.

Death Threats

The 28-year-old Vinesh although mentioned she hasn’t confronted sexual exploitation however claimed to have obtained dying threats on the behest of Brij Bhushan for having drawn Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s consideration to points that plague Indian wrestling.

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‘Our Fight Against WFI’

Bajrang Punia mentioned the protest will proceed until the take away of present WFI president who he claimed makes use of abusive language towards wrestlers.

“Our battle will not be towards the federal government or the Sports Authority of India (SAI). This is towards WFI. ‘Yeh ab aar paar ki ladai hai’ (It’s a battle to the end). We will proceed this protest till WFI President is eliminated,” Bajrang told PTI.

“We will not compete in any international competition until the WFI President is removed. This is a fight to save Indian wrestling. While we are denied help and support of foreign coaches, the President has hired a foreign coach for his own academy in Gonda. He uses abusive language against wrestlers, we can even show you videos of that.” Punia later mentioned whereas addressing the media.

Brij Bhushan Rejects All Allegations

Brij Bhushan, a sitting MP from Kaiserganj in Uttar Pradesh, responded to the claims saying he’s able to be hanged ought to the allegations be proved. He refused to give up.

“There isn’t any reality in any of the allegations. Why ought to I give up? Even if one girl wrestler comes and proves the sexual harassment cost, I’m able to be hanged. There is an industrialist behind it (conspiracy),” said the 66-year-old.

“There can be an investigation by the CBI or police. There is no dictatorship. These same wrestlers had met me a week back and did not say anything,” he added.

Sports Ministry Gives 72-hour Ultimatum to WFI

Acting swiftly after the damning allegations have been made towards WFI, the Sports Ministry gave the wrestling physique 72 hours to reply to all of the allegations after taking “a really severe view of the matter”.

In a statement, the Ministry said if WFI fails to furnish the reply within the next 72 hours, it will proceed to initiate action against the federation in terms of the provisions of the National Sports Development Code, 2011.

DCW Issues Notice to Sports Ministry, Delhi Police

Later in the day (January 18), the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) issued notices to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the city police. DCW chief Swati Maliwal also met the protesting wrestlers. Panel asked police to register an FIR into the matter.

January 19: Protest continues. Three-time CWG medallist and BJP leader Babita Phogat met the wrestlers at Jantar Mantar, assuring them their demands will be met.

‘Will Try to Get The Solution’

Babita Phogat said, “I will try to get the solution. I am a wrestler first and then a political person. I know their pain and I will try to get the solution that the wrestlers want.”

Wrestlers Called For a Meeting

Bajrang, his spouse Sangeeta, Vinesh, Sarita Mor, Anshu Malik, Antim Pangal have been known as for a gathering with Sports Secretary Sujata Chaturvedi. Sports Authority of India DG Sandeep Pradhan and Joint Secretary (Sports) Kunal have been additionally a component of the assembly with the wrestlers.

CPI(M) Leader Asked to Leave Protest

Requesting to not politicise the protests, Bajrang Punia requested CPI (M) chief Brinda Karat to go away the location.

SP, Congress Demand Resignation of WFI Chief

Opposition events in UP ask for exemplary motion towards Brij Bhushan.

Samajwadi Party spokesperson Sunil Singh Sajan mentioned, “Nothing could be extra disturbing from this information that girls who had performed for our nation within the Olympics and different competitions need to protest as we speak towards their sexual harassment.”

Congress regional president and former minister Nakul Dubey told PTI, “WFI chief Braj Bhushan Singh should be sacked immediately and an FIR should be registered for a proper investigation. Also, the BJP should take exemplary action against him and prove that its slogans like ‘Beti Bachao…’ are not just for the sake of publicity.”

BJP MP Brijendra Singh asks for an intensive probe.

“Topmost sportspersons of the nation are protesting. This will not be one thing which could be or needs to be taken calmly. The Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs has taken cognisance of it and sought a reply from the Wrestling Federation. But there ought to an intensive inquiry into the matter. Take it to its logical conclusion after which no matter comes out motion needs to be taken into it,” Singh told PTI.

Wrestlers Meet With Sports Minister on Thursday Night

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur held a marathon meeting at his residence with top wrestlers but it remained inconclusive. The wrestlers left Thakur’s house at 1:45 am and did not speak to the reporters waiting outside.

January 20: As per reports, another meeting will be held between the wrestlers and Thakur on Friday. Brij Bhushan cannot be forced to resign by the Sports Ministroy till it receives a written reply from WFI on the allegations.

WFI Chief Vows to Expose Conspiracy

Early Friday morning, Brij Bhushan invited media for a press conference at the Wrestling Training Centre in Nawabganj in Gonda district, Uttar Pradesh. The WFI chief said he will “expose conspiracy against wrestling and dignity of female wrestlers” on Friday afternoon (12 PM IST).

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