Wrestlers' Protest: Nation’s Top Wrestlers Meet Home Minister Amit Shah

The United World Wrestling has warned that failure to hold new elections for the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) within 45 days could lead to the suspension of the federation.
Wrestlers' Protest: Nation’s Top Wrestlers Meet Home Minister Amit Shah

New Delhi— The top wrestlers in India, protesting against BJP MP and head of the nation's wrestling organization Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, met Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday evening at his Delhi residence.

Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, Sangeeta Phogat, and Satyawart Kadian attended the meeting, which lasted for over an hour.

Seven female wrestlers, including a minor, have accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment, and the wrestlers urged an impartial investigation and prompt action against him.

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It has been learned that Amit Shah reassured the wrestlers that the law applies equally to everyone. He reportedly said to the wrestlers, "Let the law take its own course."

After the five-day window for legal action against the head of the wrestling organization closed on Saturday, sources said the protesting athletes requested a meeting with Mr. Shah.

"We left the meeting because we didn't get the response we were seeking from the Home Minister. We are planning our strategy for the future direction of the protest. We won't back down," declared Kadian, implying that the wrestlers are preparing their next move.

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Last month, the wrestlers announced their intention to immerse their medals in the Ganga River in Haridwar. They claim that their complaint against the head of the wrestling federation has largely been ignored.

However, they temporarily abandoned their plan as farmer leader Naresh Tikait intervened.

The protesting wrestlers had previously been charged with rioting by the Delhi Police for allegedly breaking the law in a fit of rage, despite numerous appeals during their protest march to the new parliament.

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has vehemently denied all allegations in a forceful statement amid an intensifying campaign for his arrest. "I will hang myself if even one of the accusations made against me is true. I'm willing to accept any punishment, so if you (the wrestlers) have any proof, please show it to the court," he had remarked the week prior.

Additionally, he stated that he is prepared to undergo a polygraph or narco test.With farmers from Haryana showing solidarity, the wrestlers' protest has gained momentum.

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The United World Wrestling (UWW), the international governing body for the sport, released a statement criticizing the "lack of progress" in the investigation and denouncing the incarceration of the wrestlers. 

The UWW warned that failure to hold new elections for the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) within 45 days could lead to the suspension of the federation and reminded the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) of its commitment to do so.

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