Two days after wrestlers protesting against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh met Home Minister Amit Shah, the government has invited them for another round of talks.
Bajrang Punia, Sakshee Malikkh and Vinesh Phogat returned to their respective homes and rejoined offices on Monday. They met Amit Shah on Saturday night when the Home Minister reportedly told them that the law will take its course. Though the government was willing to accept their demands, it did not agree to the immediate arrest of Brij Bhushan.
In a tweet post-midnight Tuesday, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said the government was "willing to have a discussion with the wrestlers on their issues". "I have once again invited the wrestlers for the same," he tweeted.
The government is willing to have a discussion with the wrestlers on their issues.
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) June 6, 2023
I have once again invited the wrestlers for the same.
The wrestlers have been agitating against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh after some grapplers, including a minor, accused him of sexually harassing them. Brij Bhushan has denied the charges.
Earlier, the Delhi Police recorded the statements of Singh's associates and those working at his residence in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda as part of the investigation. Though there were reports that the minor withdrew the complaint registered against Brij Bhushan under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Delhi Police said they have recorded a fresh statement under the CrPC section 164.
Meanwhile, Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait has clarified that it has not withdrawn the support to the wrestlers though BKU decided to postpone the June 9 demonstration against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at the request of grapplers.
This comes amid speculations that the farmer leaders decided to withdraw support after being kept in the dark about the wrestlers' meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. However, Tikait said Punia and Malikkh had informed him about the meeting.
"We were aware of the recent meeting and have been in coordination with the wrestlers. We have been asked to hold on any major protest/demonstration," he added.
Tikait also explained the decision to postpone the June 9 demonstration in Delhi. "We will wait for the outcome of the meeting between government officials and protesting wrestlers. We (farmers' union) are in support of the wrestlers and will continue with our support to them," Tikait told PTI.
Asked if he is aware of the next meeting between wrestlers and the government representatives, he replied, "I do not know when the next meeting is scheduled or if it will even happen."
