Wrestlers fail to hold press meet, likely to host it on Friday

The plan of some of country’s top wrestlers, who are protesting against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, to hold a press conference at Rajghat could not materialise on Thursday after Delhi Police imposed section 144 (under CrPC) in the area.

The wrestlers have postponed the press meet till Friday although there is still no confirmation about the venue or the time of the conference.

On Wednesday night, Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia, who is one of the protesting wrestlers had announced through Twitter that they will be holding a press meet ahead of the August 12 elections which is a direct fight between two contestants backed by Brij Bhushan and one backed by the wrestlers.

“Greetings to all of you. Tomorrow at 12.30 pm, we are hosting a press conference in Delhi’s Rajghat. Jai Hind,” Punia had tweeted on Wednesday.

However, even before they could assemble there, the police imposed section 144 which disallows assembly of four or more people in the area.

World Championships medallist Vinesh tweeted on Thursday afternoon, “Police has imposed section 144 at Rajghat. We will finalise the venue of the next press conference quickly.”

The wrestlers kept everyone in wait as they looked for an option to hold the presser at another venue on Thursday afternoon. However, they couldn’t hold it.

According to people aware of the development, the wrestlers will announce a press meet early on Friday.

The wrestlers are fighting for action against Brij Bhushan over allegations of sexual harassment of female wrestlers.

In the elections to be held on Saturday at the Olympic Bhawan, Jai Prakash, head of the Delhi body and Sanjay Singh, head of UP body, are expected to be the proxy for Brij Bhushan with the former even making his support for sacked WFI president clear to Patriot earlier.

Anita Sheoran is the candidate backed by the protesting wrestlers.