Centre handling issue of protesting wrestlers sensitively: Sports Minister Anurag Thakur

Mumbai, June 1: Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday said the Centre was sensitively handling the issue of protesting wrestlers, who are seeking the arrest of outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations.

 

Thakur, who is on a visit to Mumbai, told reporters that the government has accepted the wrestlers’ demand for a committee to probe their allegations and an investigation was underway.

 

“The government is handling the issue of protesting wrestlers sensitively. The wrestlers asked for an FIR which has been filed by the Delhi police. A committee of administrators has been set up by the Wrestling Federation of India as they demanded that its office-bearers shouldn’t be allowed to function," Thakur said.

 

The Supreme Court has asked the wrestlers to approach the magistrate court, he said.

 

On Wednesday, Thakur asked the protesting wrestlers not to take any step that could undermine sports or hurt players, and said appropriate action will be taken once the probe into their allegations is completed. He also urged the wrestlers to be patient and have faith in the apex court.

 

 

After prominent wrestlers came forward with allegations of sexual harassment against the WFI chief, earlier this year, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur announced the formation of an oversight committee to probe allegations charges against him and some coaches.