Sports Minister Invites Protesting Wrestlers For Further Talks

Pic courtesy The Hindu

New Delhi: The Union government is ready for further discussion with the protesting wrestlers, who are demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment charges.

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur invited the wrestlers to discuss their concerns.

“The government is willing to have a discussion with the wrestlers on their issues. I have once again invited the wrestlers for the same,” Thakur stated in a late-night tweet.

This comes just two days after the likes of Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia had a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the matter of Brij Bhushan, who happens to be a BJP MP.

Olympic medallist Punia told NDTV in an exclusive interview that the protesters were asked by the government not to talk about the meet.

The protesters announced after the meeting that they were rejoining duties with Indian Railways, but denied reports that their protest against the WFI chief had ended.

Punia had said they were not satisfied with the government’s response.

“The protest movement hasn’t died down, it will continue. We have been strategising on how to take it forward.. The athletes aren’t satisfied with the government’s response, neither is the government agreeing to our demands,” Punia said.

Seven female wrestlers, including a minor, have accused Brij Bhushan of sexual harassment. An investigation is underway. The wrestlers have demanded an impartial probe and swift action against Brij Bhushan.