Wrestlers vs WFI: Here is why the deadlock persists

The discussions to resolve the ongoing fight between the wrestlers and the Wrestling Federation of India have stalled as the demands made by the former before the Union Sports Ministry have risen beyond control, sources have informed.

According to sources, the gridlock is over the wrestlers’ demand that the national and state federations be dissolved.

This despite the fact that Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur accepted the demands to sack WFI president Brij Bhushan Singh and initiate an inquiry into the allegations of sexual misconduct against Singh.

The players' representatives had held discussions with the Sports Minister about the wrestlers' protest against the WFI president. Wrestlers like Babita Phogat, Bajrang Poonia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat spoke to the minister for four-and-a-half hours.

The minister asked if the delegates personally had any bad experiences with Brij Bhushan Singh. Sources said that the wrestlers told the minister that they had not personally had any such experience but that they had heard of such things happening. Thakur told the delegates that if they had any difficulty speaking openly to him, they could talk to Sports Ministry Secretary Sujatha Chaturvedi.

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The representatives of the wrestling stars placed before the minister their demand that Brij Bhushan Singh be fired. The minister agreed to this, sources said, adding that he also agreed to set up a committee to investigate the sex allegations against Brij Bhushan Singh in detail and to include only people requested by the players. 

However, the players' representatives demanded that the national and state federations be dissolved. Sources in Delhi indicate that the talks have stalled in front of the Centre as the demands have risen beyond their control.

In the meantime, Brij has continued to assert that he will not be stepping down from his position.