Top Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik have threatened to restart the protest, after former WFI president Brij Bhushan’s son, Karan Singh was elected as the president of the Uttar Pradesh Wrestling Association. as per a report in Indian Express.
Another reason for discontent is, Sanjay Singh will return as the WFI president after the UWW lifted the ban from the Indian federation. “Just 2-3 days back, Brij Bhushan’s son became the president of the UP wrestling body despite him saying no one from his family will come into wrestling administration. The government had promised that Brij Bhushan or his relatives or associates will not govern the sport,” Bajrang said in a video posted on Instagram.
Bajrang has now requested the government to take swift action over the proceedings. “I request the government to take a quick decision. Even though the IOA (ministry) has suspended the WFI, the WFI conducted its nationals in Pune, elections are happening in states… The WFI thinks it is bigger than the government.
“We wrestlers will talk to all those who support us — farmer groups, khap panchayats, labour unions and women organisations — and make a decision in the next two to three days. I request the government not to force us to start the protests again,” Bajrang said.
Meanwhile, Sakshi had alleged that ‘Sanjay Singh had done some setting’ to get the ban lifted. “Sanjay Singh has done some setting with the UWW and got the suspension lifted. I have retired from wrestling but I won’t allow Brij Bushan and his people to run the federation and also trouble women wrestlers.
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“In the next few days, we will talk to everyone who was involved in the protest and decide the future course of action. I request the government to remove people connected to Brij Bhushan from the WFI and place someone who is clean and capable at the top,” she said in a video posted on X.
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