Anurag Thakur Implores Protesting Wrestlers To "Have Faith In Law And Order"

SHIMLA (H.P): Anurag Thakur, a Union Minister, urged the protesting grapplers on Sunday to put an end to their demonstration and exhibit faith in law and order, noting that the Delhi Police is also taking statements in the case and that the Supreme Court has rendered its decision. A number of top wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Mallik, and Bajrang Punia, have been demonstrating at the Jantar Mantar, accusing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment and calling for his arrest.

"The committee was formed, and their concerns were also heard. An ad-hoc committee has been formed to start the day-to-day working of the Wrestling Federation by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). Trials have also started for athletes. They should end the protest and wait for the investigation to complete," the Union Sports Minister said to media in Hamirpur.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced earlier on April 24 that an ad hoc committee will be formed to manage the day-to-day operations of the organisation, including the selection of athletes and making entries for the participation of players in international competitions. The committee will conduct elections for the Executive Committee of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) within 45 days of its formation.

Until a new Executive Committee assumes control, this committee will continue to work in an interim capacity.

A Delhi Police team visited Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Haryana to gather all of the evidence against Wrestling Federation of India head Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh after receiving a complaint from the protesting wrestlers.

When the WFI president was accused of sexual harassment, several female wrestlers spoke out against him. The protesting wrestlers are still camped out in front of the Jantar Mantar in the capital, calling for Singh's resignation from the wrestling organisation and his arrest as a BJP member of parliament.

Additionally, Delhi Police is in contact with foreign organisations to learn more about the accusations he was subjected to while travelling abroad. The police have gathered pictures and recordings as proof from many locations.

The Delhi Police submitted a status report on the application made by female wrestlers on Friday. The application was made in response to an accusation of sexual misconduct made against WFI Chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Additionally, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to look into the situation was disclosed to the court.

After receiving a notice from the Supreme Court, the Delhi Police filed two FIRs on April 28.

Wrestlers led a protest against the WFI president earlier this year, and as a result, Union Minister Anurag Thakur ordered the creation of a "oversight committee" to look into claims made against the WFI, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, and a few trainers.

On April 23, renowned wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Mallik returned to the protest site at Jantar Mantar and asserted that despite a complaint of sexual harassment against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh being made by six female wrestlers and a minor at the Connaught Place Police Station, no FIR had been filed by Delhi Police.

Also Read: Punjab: Woman Shot And Killed In Patiala For Drinking Alcohol On Gurdwara Premises

Also Watch: