The Indian wrestlers on Thursday continued their protest against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for the second consecutive day.

The Indian wrestlers on Thursday continued their protest against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for the second consecutive day. Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat came to the protest site at Jantar Mantar in the Indian capital of New Delhi and climbed up the stage but was soon asked by the wrestlers to step down and not try to 'politicise' their protest. Indian Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia requested the CPI(M) leader to not come on the stage after she remained insistent on taking the microphone and giving a speech. “Madam, I request you to please step down. Please don’t politicise the protest. This is the wrestlers' protest. Please get down from the stage,” he said. It took repeated requests from Punia and other wrestlers to finally get Karat off the stage. #WATCH | CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat asked to step down from the stage during wrestlers' protest against WFI at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/sw8WMTdjsk — ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2023 × Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took to Twitter to support the protest. "Our players are the pride of the country. They bring laurels to the country by their performance at the world level. The players have made serious allegations of exploitation against the Wrestling Federation and its president. The voices of these players should be heard. Allegations should be investigated and appropriate action taken," tweeted Vadra in Hindi. हमारे खिलाड़ी देश की शान हैं। विश्व स्तर पर अपने प्रदर्शन से वे देश का मान बढ़ाते हैं। कुश्ती फेडरेशन व उसके अध्यक्ष पर खिलाड़ियों ने शोषण के गंभीर आरोप लगाए हैं। इन खिलाड़ियों की आवाज सुनी जानी चाहिए। आरोपों की जांच कर उचित कार्रवाई की जानी चाहिए। — Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) January 19, 2023 × Delhi Commission for Women issued a notice to the sports ministry and demanded the city police to file a case. BJP sends its mediator Later in the day, Babita Phogat, a former Olympian, and a BJP member arrived at the protest site and attempted to mediate between the players and the Sports Ministry. "I'm a wrestler first. The BJP government is with the wrestlers. I have heard instances of abuse in my career as well. There is no smoke without fire," said Phogat. “I have assured them that the government is with them. I will try that their issues are resolved today." Allegations levelled by the wrestlers Notably, Indian wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and others sat on a 'Dharna' (protest) on Wednesday at Jantar Mantar in the capital city of New Delhi to disclose the shoddy dealings of the federation. During the press conference, Phogat and Malik accused the federation President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and coaches of sexual harassment while Punia alleged severe mismanagement in the players' training. “Women wrestlers have been sexually harassed at national camps by coaches and also the WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh," said Phogat. "Some of the coaches appointed at national camps have been sexually harassing women wrestlers for years. The WFI president is also involved in sexual harassment." Read more: Indian wrestlers open 'can of worms', allege sexual harassment, corruption in wrestling federation WFI president denies allegations After being put on the spot, WFI President Singh refuted all charges and defended himself by saying that he could be 'hanged' if the allegations against him were proven true. “Is anyone saying that the WFI has sexually harassed a wrestler? Only Vinesh has said it. Has anyone come forward and said that they personally have been sexually harassed? Even if one wrestler comes forward and says that she has been sexually harassed, that day I can be hanged," he said. SAI intervenes Afterwards, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) issued an official statement demanding an explanation from the WFI on all charges within the next 72 hours. “Taking cognisance of the protest staged by wrestlers, including Olympic and CWG medalists, in Delhi today and a press conference in which wrestlers have levelled serious charges of sexual harassment of women wrestlers by the President and coaches of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and of mismanagement in the functioning of the federation, the Sports Ministry has sought an explanation from WFI on the allegations and directed it to furnish a reply within the next 72 hours." Read more: Sports ministry gives 72 hours to wrestling body for explanation on sexual harassment allegations As the wrestlers continue their protest, SAI has cancelled the Women National Wrestling Coaching Camp that was scheduled to start on January 18 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, with participation of 41 wrestlers and 13 coaches. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

All that has happened so far in the protest by Indian wrestlers against the wrestling federation

As the Commonwealth Games move into high gear in Birmingham, India's wrestling team will be seen in action on&nbsp;Friday featuring Bajrang Punia, Deepak Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat.

The women's hockey team will take on Australia in the crucial semi-final encounter. It promises to be a mouthwatering clash&nbsp;with the winner set to enter the final.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cwg-2022-boxer-amit-panghal-enters-semi-final-with-convincing-win-adds-to-indias-medal-tally-503638">Also Read:&nbsp;CWG 2022: Boxer Amit Panghal enters semi-final, adds to India's medal-tally</a>

Indian athletes will also be seen today as sprinter Hima Das looks to seal her berth in the women's 200 meters. The badminton team will be in action as India's ace PV Sindhu along with Kidambi Srikanth, Akarshi Kashyap, Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty begin their medal hunt.&nbsp;

Dipika Pallikal and Sourav Ghosal would be looking to advance to the mixed doubles after having qualified for the quarterfinal in squash. In table tennis, Manika Batra will be fighting to advance in the mixed doubles event.

India is currently ranked in the seventh position with 20&nbsp;medals at the Commonwealth Games having bagged six golds, seven bronze and seven silver medals.

Australia tops the standings with 132 medals including 51 golds followed by England(42 golds, 118 medals) and Canada with 17 golds (59 medals).

(With inputs from Agencies)

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As the Commonwealth Games move into high gear in Birmingham, India's wrestling team will be seen in action on Friday featuring Bajrang Punia, Deepak Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat.

As the Commonwealth Games move into high gear in Birmingham, India's wrestling team will be seen in action on Friday featuring Bajrang Punia, Deepak Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat. The women's hockey team will take on Australia in the crucial semi-final encounter. It promises to be a mouthwatering clash with the winner set to enter the final. Also Read: CWG 2022: Boxer Amit Panghal enters semi-final, adds to India's medal-tally Indian athletes will also be seen today as sprinter Hima Das looks to seal her berth in the women's 200 meters. The badminton team will be in action as India's ace PV Sindhu along with Kidambi Srikanth, Akarshi Kashyap, Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty begin their medal hunt. Dipika Pallikal and Sourav Ghosal would be looking to advance to the mixed doubles after having qualified for the quarterfinal in squash. In table tennis, Manika Batra will be fighting to advance in the mixed doubles event. India is currently ranked in the seventh position with 20 medals at the Commonwealth Games having bagged six golds, seven bronze and seven silver medals. Australia tops the standings with 132 medals including 51 golds followed by England(42 golds, 118 medals) and Canada with 17 golds (59 medals). (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Commonwealth Games 2022: India's wrestling team in action today led by Bajrang Punia

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has recommended wrestlers <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=vinesh+phogat">Vinesh Phogat</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=bajrang+punia">Bajrang Punia</a> for India's the highest sporting honour, Rajeev Khel Ratna Award.&nbsp;

Bajrang and Vinesh's names were sent by WFI owing to their remarkable performances in the last couple of years.&nbsp;

"They (Bajrang and Vinesh) have been recommended for Khel Ratna by the WFI after both of them submitted their applications," a WFI official confirmed.&nbsp;

Besides, WFI has also recommended Rahul Aware, Harpreet Singh, Divya Kakran and Pooja Dhanda for Arjuna award.&nbsp;

India's Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports gives the Arjuna Awards to recognize outstanding achievement in sports.&nbsp;

WFI also recommended Virender Kumar, Sujeet Maan, Narendra Kumar &amp; Vikram Kumar for Dronacharya award, which is a sports coaching honour, given for the outstanding coaches in sports and games.&nbsp;

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Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) recommends Rahul Aware, Harpreet Singh, Divya Kakran and Pooja Dhanda for Arjuna award; Recommends, Virender Kumar, Sujeet Maan, Narendra Kumar &amp; Vikram Kumar for Dronacharya award. <a href="https://t.co/Z8M9Qn1ZJZ">https://t.co/Z8M9Qn1ZJZ</a>
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Punia has eight gold medals from his previous nine international tournaments including last year's Commonwealth and Asian Games.&nbsp;

Asian champion Bajrang Punia is to become the first Indian wrestler to fight at New York's iconic Madison Square Garden.&nbsp;

Punia, who won the 65kg men's freestyle gold at the recent Asian championships, will be among top wrestlers selected by the American governing body for the May 6 tournament.&nbsp;

The 25-year-old will take on two-time US national champion Yianni Diakomahlis in the "Grapple at the Garden" Beat the Streets event which since 2010 has become a major showcase for international wrestling.&nbsp;

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has recommended wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia for India's the highest sporting honour, Rajeev Khel Ratna Award.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has recommended wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia for India's the highest sporting honour, Rajeev Khel Ratna Award. Bajrang and Vinesh's names were sent by WFI owing to their remarkable performances in the last couple of years. "They (Bajrang and Vinesh) have been recommended for Khel Ratna by the WFI after both of them submitted their applications," a WFI official confirmed. Besides, WFI has also recommended Rahul Aware, Harpreet Singh, Divya Kakran and Pooja Dhanda for Arjuna award. India's Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports gives the Arjuna Awards to recognize outstanding achievement in sports. WFI also recommended Virender Kumar, Sujeet Maan, Narendra Kumar & Vikram Kumar for Dronacharya award, which is a sports coaching honour, given for the outstanding coaches in sports and games. Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) recommends Rahul Aware, Harpreet Singh, Divya Kakran and Pooja Dhanda for Arjuna award; Recommends, Virender Kumar, Sujeet Maan, Narendra Kumar & Vikram Kumar for Dronacharya award. https://t.co/Z8M9Qn1ZJZ — ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 × Punia has eight gold medals from his previous nine international tournaments including last year's Commonwealth and Asian Games. Asian champion Bajrang Punia is to become the first Indian wrestler to fight at New York's iconic Madison Square Garden. Punia, who won the 65kg men's freestyle gold at the recent Asian championships, will be among top wrestlers selected by the American governing body for the May 6 tournament. The 25-year-old will take on two-time US national champion Yianni Diakomahlis in the "Grapple at the Garden" Beat the Streets event which since 2010 has become a major showcase for international wrestling.

Wrestling Federation of India recommends Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat for Rajeev Khel Ratna Award