Indian Wrestlers Protest LIVE News Updates: Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is accused of sexually harassing female wrestlers, will hold a press conference at 4 pm at the Wrestling Training Centre in Nawabganj, Uttar Pradesh's Gonda district.
Yesterday's stalemate between the athletes and the federation resumed as Olympic wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, on ended their marathon meeting with Sports Minister Anurag Thakur without any statement.
The sportspersons have asked for the complete disbanding of the WFI.
The biggest names in Indian wrestling came forward on Wednesday to make allegations of sexual harassment against federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Watch full presser here.
Bhushan, a BJP MP, has denied all claims but has been given a 72-hour deadline by Sports Authority of India to send a formal reply to the complaints.
More wrestlers joined the sit-in protest on Thursday in Jantar Mantar.
The WFI have said that they will convene a meeting over the matter on 22 January, following which they will clarify their further plan of action.
After a meeting yesterday morning, the athletes had expressed that they are not happy with the government's response, and they will register a police complaint if WFI is not disbanded.
WFI President to Address the Press at Noon
Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh will hold a press conference at 12 noon at the Wrestling Training Centre in Nawabganj, Uttar Pradesh's Gonda district.
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Meeting Ends With Sports Minister
Wrestlers' meeting with Sports Minister Anurag Thakur around 2am on Friday, 20 January. However, neither the minister, nor wrestlers gave any statement about what was decided in the meeting.
Wrestlers Arrive at Sports Minister Residence
Protesting wrestlers, including Babita Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat have arrived Sports Minister Anurag Thakur residence to meet him.
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur to Meet Wrestlers Soon
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur has arrived at his residence in Delhi, from Chandigarh, and is expected to meet the wrestlers who are protesting against WFI, reported news agency ANI.
Earlier on Thursday, he said that "allegations levelled by wrestlers are serious in nature. Taking swift action, Government of India sent a notice to WFI and sought a reply within 72 hours. I will try to meet the wrestlers after I reach Delhi. We will talk and listen to them."