Wrestlers Meet With Anurag Thakur, No Return For Brijbhushan

Yesterday’s 6 hour long meeting between Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and cabinet minister Anurag Thakur ended up with a deadline of 15th June to resolve wrestler’s demands against WFI Chief and BJP MP Brijbhushan Singh, if the demands are met wrestlers protest will be withdrawn.
One of the most significant outcomes of the six-hour meeting between sports minister Anurag Thakur and the protesting wrestlers is the potential for a power shift and cleanup in the Wrestling Federation of India. No members of Singh’s family would be allowed to run in the upcoming WFI elections, the government assured wrestlers. In his remarks following the meeting, Thakur mentioned this change. “The WFI elections will take place by June 30, and a woman ought to be named chair of the group’s internal complaints committee,” he said.

Wrestlers Meet With Anurag Thakur, No Return For Brijbhushan: Here are the meeting points

Wrestlers say Brij Bhushan won’t be back; WFI will be cleaning up

The government reportedly promised the wrestlers that no members of Singh’s family would be permitted to run in the upcoming WFI elections.

A power shift and cleanup in the WFI

The possibility of a power shift and cleanup in the Wrestling Federation of India is one of the most important outcomes of the six-hour meeting between sports minister Anurag Thakur and the demonstrating wrestlers.

The WFI will have new leadership after more than ten years of being run by BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh, the subject of the sexual harassment claims, along with his family and close friends.

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In WFI, neither Brij Bhushan nor its relatives have returned

The government assured wrestlers that no members of Singh’s family would be permitted to run in the upcoming WFI elections. And perhaps more significantly, the “opinion” of the three wrestlers who are protesting—Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat—will be taken into account when deciding who will hold the top positions of president, general secretary, and treasurer.

They will conduct the WFI elections by June 30: Thakur

Thakur mentioned this change in his post-meeting remarks. “By June 30, they will conduct the WFI elections, and a woman should be appointed chair of the organization’s internal complaints committee. Following the elections, the WFI must operate as a respectable federation with respectable officeholders. In this case, it’s important to consider the players’ opinions,” he said.

Brijbhushan Sharan Singh and his relatives at various posts in WFI

Singh was not eligible for re-election after serving as WFI president for 12 years due to the National Sports Code’s tenure cap. Doors are now firmly closed to even Singh’s family members or close friends as a result of the meeting on Wednesday.
Before the government dissolved the executive council in April, Karan Bhushan, the son of Brij Bhushan, served as vice president of the WFI. Vishal Singh, his son-in-law, is the head of the Bihar Wrestling Association. Brij Bhushan’s son-in-law Aditya Pratap Singh is also the joint secretary of the WFI.

Related Read | Police Interrogate WFI Chief’s Staff | Minor Wrestler Makes A New Statement

The meeting with Anurag Thakur was successful but ended on a back & forth note

Following the meeting, Thakur stated: “The wrestlers had demanded that the incumbent president, Brij Bhushan Singh, who completed three terms, and those associated with him, not be re-elected. On this, there was agreement.

On most of these issues, the government and the wrestlers agreed on Wednesday. The discussion, however, came to a deadlock once more. According to what is known, the Sports Minister wanted to make a joint statement as soon as their discussions were over. But before issuing a joint statement with the government, the wrestlers insisted on having a “discussion” about it with Vinesh, who wasn’t there, and the khap leaders. Over six hours after arriving at Thakur’s home, Bajrang and Sakshi finally left after much wrangling.