Anurag Thakur's meeting with wrestlers ends after 4 hours; WFI likely to submit report today

The meeting began at 10 pm on Thursday at Thakur's residence in New Delhi.

Published on: Jan 20, 2023, 03:01:50 IST

By HT News Desk, New Delhi

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The meeting between Union sports minister Anurag Thakur and wrestlers demanding the resignation of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations levelled by them, ended around 2 am on Friday, four hours after it began at Thakur's residence in New Delhi.

Wrestlers leaving after meeting Union sports minister Anurag Thakur (ANI)

Also Read: 5 things to know about Vinesh Phogat, who accused WFI chief of sexual harassment

It is, however, not known what transpired during the meeting as the wrestlers did not speak to the media while leaving the minister's residence. Thakur, too, did not address the press.

Various media reports, on the other hand, said Singh has been given 24 hours to step down, or else he will be sacked. Also, WFI is likely to submit its response to the sports ministry by Friday afternoon. Earlier, on Wednesday, hours after wrestlers launched their protest at Jantar Mantar in the national capital, the ministry took cognisance of the issue, and asked the wrestling body to respond to the charges within 72 hours.

Also Read: Priyanka Gandhi seeks probe into sexual exploitation charges against WFI chief

According to some other reports, the sports minister requested the wrestlers to wait for the completion of these 72 hours, and to call off their agitation and return to training. A second round of meeting is also expected to take place.

Also Read: Divya Kakran backs WFI chief, slams Vinesh Phogat, protesting wrestlers

Singh, who, like Thakur, is a BJP MP, was, meanwhile, reported to be in Gonda in Uttar Pradesh. The parliamentarian from the state's Kaiserganj constituency has refused to step down and claimed there is a conspiracy against him.

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