The ongoing protests by a group of Indian wrestlers against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has sparked a controversial debate among the sports community. The wrestlers, who have been protesting against the WFI’s selection process for the Tokyo Olympics, have been staging a sit-in demonstration at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi for over a week.
In response to the wrestlers’ protest, WFI Chief Brj Bhushan Sharan Singh spoke to the media and said that those who were active in the Shaheen Bagh and farmer protests are the same people who are leading this protest. He also said that his resignation was not their objective, and despite the registration of an FIR against the protesters, they are still not leaving the stadium.
Singh further added, “The way the leaders are gathering and the language being used, it seems like it’s not a protest by wrestlers.” He stated that the demands of the protesters have been met, and the selection trials for the Olympics will be conducted soon.
The WFI chief also expressed his disappointment that the protesters were not following COVID-19 protocols and putting themselves and others at risk.
The protesters, however, claim that they are fighting for their rights and the WFI’s biased selection process. They have demanded that the trials be held in an open competition format and not behind closed doors, as they believe that this will give a fair chance to all wrestlers to showcase their talent.
The situation remains tense, with the wrestlers refusing to leave the stadium until their demands are met. The WFI has assured that they will address their concerns and conduct the selection trials soon.