Wrestlers’ Protest: Vinesh Phogat Accuses Anurag Thakur Of Attempting To Suppress Issue

New Delhi: Wrestler Vinesh Phogat claims that Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur tried to stifle the issue by creating an oversight panel rather than taking effective action. Phogat and other top wrestlers have been protesting at the Jantar Mantar here against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Wrestlers are calling for the arrest of Brij Bhushan, a BJP MP, as part of their second phase of protest.

“We terminated our protest after speaking with Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, who had been informed of the sexual harassment by all the sportsmen. He attempted to brush the issue aside thereby creating a committee, but nothing was done at the time, Vinesh said.

She added that it can be challenging to oppose someone in a position of power who has been abusing it for a very long period.

The Olympian went on to say that the wrestlers had met an official before beginning their protest in Jantar Mantar. However, nothing was done.