In Haryana, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi had a meeting with wrestlers Banjrang Punia, Deepak Punia, and others. His visit coincided with a wave of wrestlers returning trophies to the newly elected Wrestler Federation of India (WFI) board in protest. Following protests against the new Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chairman and the Sports Ministry’s subsequent suspension of the federation’s newly elected board, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi met Banjrang Punia and other wrestlers in Haryana on Wednesday.
In Chhara village, Rahul Gandhi met the wrestlers. Deppak Punia, a villager and gold medalist from the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, was also in attendance. The veneration of the meeting was Wa Virandra Akhara, which is also where Deepak and Bajrang began their wrestling careers.
According to Bajrang Punia, Rahul Gandhi went to the Chhara arena to watch the wrestler’s daily workout regimen and even engaged in a wrestling match with him. He arrived to see a wrestler’s day-to-day activities. He worked out and wrestled with me. Like Bajrang Punia, Virendra Akhara’s coach said that the Congress MP picked up wrestling skills.
He picked up wrestling etiquette, including how points are awarded and determined. He consumed green curries and millet toast. We informed him that youngsters today face a variety of mental health issues. But what does Rahul have in his hands? The coach told the media that everything is under the control of the administration. An ad hoc committee will be established by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to supervise the day-to-day operations and management of the WFI.
Just three days after the WFI’s office bearers were elected, the Sports Ministry suspended the organization, alleging a complex present scenario brought on by the influence and control of the old office bearers. Anurag Thakur, Union Minister of Sports, has written to the IOA requesting control of the WFI.
In a stringently worded letter, the ministry claimed that people who had previously led the federation under chairman Brij Bhushan, who was suspended over charges of sexual harassment, continued to have an influence over the new office bearers. Protesting against Bhushan’s departure, wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia applauded the WFI suspension. In an earlier interview, both reaffirmed their call for a female president.
On December 21, Sanjay Sigh emerged victorious in the presidential election against Commonwealth Games gold winner Anita Sheron to become the new head of the WFI. Wrestler supported Anita for the WFI chief position and disputed the election of Singh, a close Bhushan ally. Two-time World Championship medalist, starting to realize that such recognition has no value in the face of wrestlers’ extreme struggles and justice.
