INDIA: The ongoing conflict between the sports federation and wrestlers has escalated, reaching the residences of the Union Home Minister and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur. Recently, the wrestlers held a meeting with Amit Shah to discuss their demands, particularly the removal of Wrestling Federation Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh from his position due to allegations of sexual harassment against female wrestlers.
Amidst the protests, prominent wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik have received an invitation for talks from Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur.
Taking to Twitter, the Union Sports Minister expressed the government’s willingness to engage in discussions with the wrestlers regarding their concerns. He extended another invitation to the wrestlers for this purpose. This move comes as the protesters have threatened to immerse their medals into the Ganga River in Haridwar if their demands are not met.
However, Punia recently expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s response, stating that the protesters were unhappy with it.
Punia raised concerns about Brij Bhushan’s freedom despite facing two FIRs, questioning why he hasn’t been arrested.
This prompted sports enthusiasts to firmly declare that they will not back down. Punia also revealed that they were instructed not to disclose their meeting with Amit Shah, but they chose to reveal the truth. Furthermore, Sakshee Malikkh, Phogat, and Punia, who are employed by the Indian Railways, stated that they would not hesitate to resign from their jobs if they came in the way of their protest.
Consequently, Punia, Vinesh, and Malik jointly posted an official tweet in Hindi, conveying their message: “Those who belittled the value of our medals to a mere ₹15 are now threatening our livelihoods. Our lives are at stake, and a job is insignificant compared to that. Do not blackmail us by using our jobs as leverage.”
