Champion wrestler and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Babita Phogat met with protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Thursday.
Meanwhile, wrestlers sitting in the protest are demanding action against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief for exploiting several athletes.
Addressing the gathering, Babita Phogat said, “I have assured them that the government is with them. I will try that their issues are resolved today.”
Earlier, the Haryana Sports and Youth Affairs Department and a former wrestler tweeted, “I stand with all my fellow players in this matter of wrestling. I assure all of you that I will work to raise this issue with the government at every level, and the future will be decided the way players feel right.”
“Babita Phogat has come from the government’s side for mediation. We will speak with her and then give more details,” Olympian and 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medalist Bajrang Punia said.
Moreover, on the day of the protest, wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Punia were sitting in silent protest.
“If we can fight for our country, then we can also fight for our rights. First of all, I thank all the players who have come here. And the statement that was given yesterday said that only 3 percent of players are sitting here, but according to me, all the players are here. You can imagine how strong the players are. And we raised our voice for our rights and are not going to bow down when we do not win,” Punia said.
“We wish that someday, if any child comes to wrestling, he should not practice under some pressure,” Punia stated.
Earlier on Wednesday, wrestler Vinesh Phogat alleged that coaches who are favorites of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) harass the women.
Wrestler Vinesh Phogat also accused the wrestling federation chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, of calling her ‘khota sikka’ and sexually harassing girls.
“Coaches are harassing women and some coaches, who are favorites of the Federation, misbehave with women coaches as well. They sexually harass girls. The WFI president has sexually harassed many girls,” Phogat alleged.
However, a Lok Sabha MP from the BJP, Brij Bushan Singh, is heading the Wrestling Federation of India.
