Wrestlers Protest: Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur has once again called the protesting Indian wrestlers for talks. The Union Sports Minister said that the Center is ready for talks with the protesting wrestlers demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh.
In a conversation with news agency ANI on Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur’s proposal for talks, wrestler Sakshi Malik said that we will discuss the proposal given by the government with our seniors and supporters. When everyone gives their consent that the proposal is fine, then only we will agree for talks. It will not happen that we will end our protest by agreeing to anything of the government.
We gave chances to all wrestlers to present their case: sports minister Anurag Thakur#IStandWithMyChampions pic.twitter.com/TpZr3gcRaf
— Woki (@wokisthan) April 28, 2023
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The country’s top wrestlers have been protesting since January over the sexual allegations against BJP MP from Kaiserganj, Uttar Pradesh. Anurag Thakur called the protesters for talks through Twitter and said that the Center is ready to discuss their issues related to wrestlers once again. I have once again invited the wrestlers for this.
Before receiving the invitation from Anurag Thakur, there was a meeting between the wrestlers and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Saturday. In the meeting, the wrestlers demanded action against Brij Bhushan Singh. After the meeting, the wrestlers said that they have not received any specific response and will chalk out a further strategy.
Wrestlers protesting against Brij Bhushan since January
The wrestlers have been on agitation since January this year, demanding action against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment. On 18 January, apart from Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat, more than 25 wrestlers gathered at Jantar Mantar to protest.
On January 19, the wrestlers held talks with Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur. During this, the wrestlers were assured of action in the matter on behalf of Anurag Thakur. Seeing that no concrete action was taken in the matter, the wrestlers once again sat at Jantar Mantar on 23 April. On April 24, a day after the second phase of the wrestlers’ protest began, the Sports Ministry said that the Indian Olympic Association would set up a provisional committee to conduct the elections to the wrestling federation’s executive committee within a month and a half.
Wrestlers are demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Delhi Police has registered two FIRs against Brij Bhushan in the case. Meanwhile, on Tuesday (June 6), the Delhi Police also recorded the statements of Brij Bhushan’s associates and close staff at his residence in UP’s Gonda.
