Indian Wrestlers Postpone Press Conference as Section 144 Imposed near Rajghat by Delhi Police

A planned press conference featuring Indian wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat was postponed after Delhi Police enforced Section 144 CrPC in the vicinity of Rajghat, ITO, and Red Fort. The press conference was initially scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

On the previous night, prominent wrestlers Vinesh, Sakshi, and Bajrang, who had led protests against the outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, had announced their intention to hold a press conference at Delhi’s Raj Ghat.

However, DCP Central later tweeted, “In view of Independence Day celebrations, Section 144 CrPC has been invoked in areas nearby Rajghat, ITO, Red-fort etc. No gathering of any kind is permitted in these areas.”

As a result of this development, the wrestlers decided to postpone the press conference. Vinesh assured that they will provide mediapersons with the updated time and venue soon.

Notably, the forthcoming Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) election is scheduled for August 12 in New Delhi. The wrestlers’ press conference was closely related to this election.

Reports indicate that Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s close associate, Sanjay Singh from Uttar Pradesh, and his panel are anticipated to secure a comfortable victory in the polls. This outcome has caused concern among the protesting wrestlers.

Earlier, it was reported that Bajrang had cut short his overseas training to return to India ahead of schedule in order to monitor the WFI polls. Furthermore, recent reports suggest that Bajrang had approached the outgoing secretary general, VN Prasood.

VN Prasood, firmly supporting the sidelined WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, stated, “Bajrang asked me when I will be reaching Delhi for polling. He also told me that everyone is backing Brij Bhushan in the polls. I told him, ‘Bajrang, you are a wrestler; focus on the Asian Games selection trials, and we will handle the election.'”

The situation surrounding the WFI elections remains dynamic, with wrestlers and officials engaging in discussions and preparations leading up to the crucial vote.