Wrestlers' Protest: Wrestlers agreed to talk with Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur

After calling for talks with the government, wrestler Bajrang Punia has reached Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur's residence to meet him. Wrestlers Sakshi Malik and her husband Satyawart Kadian also reached Anurag Thakur's house.

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A day earlier on Tuesday, Union Minister Anurag Thakur had sent an invitation for talks to the players agitating against Brij Bhushan. Anurag Thakur had tweeted, "The government is willing to have a discussion with the wrestlers on their issues. I have once again invited the wrestlers for the same."

The government is willing to have a discussion with the wrestlers on their issues.

I have once again invited the wrestlers for the same.

— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) June 6, 2023

Before reaching for talks, wrestler Sakshi Malik said that they will take the decision about the government's proposal only after everyone's consent. Regarding ending the protest, she had said that they will listen to the government. It will not happen if they accept anything of the government and end their protest. Earlier on Saturday, the agitating wrestlers had a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. This meeting was seen as an attempt by the government to break the deadlock in the case of wrestlers. 

Two days after meeting with the Home Minister, wrestlers Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia reached the railway office for work related to their jobs. They claimed that these wrestlers distanced themselves from the performance. However, both had made it clear that they had not given up their fight. They tweeted that the fight will continue till justice will come. If they have to leave their job for this, they will leave it.

Thakur had earlier assured the wrestlers of a fair trial and justice. Following allegations that the BJP-led central government is shielding the BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh's Kaiserganj, Thakur had clarified and said that they were not saving anyone and that the government wants a fair investigation. The Delhi Police meanwhile had reached Brij Bhushan Singh's residence in UP's Gonda and recorded statements of 12 people in connection with the allegations. The police also collected the addresses and identity cards of the people who gave their statements. The Special Investigation Team has so far gathered statements from 137 people in connection with the case. 

Also Read: Protesting wrestlers criticized Brij Bhushan's comment on their medals as reprehensible

Brij Bhushan Singh has been accused of sexually assaulting women wrestlers for many years. Two FIRs were registered against the WFI chief on April 28. One of the FIRs was based on the complaint of the father of a minor wrestler which invoked the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Moreover, Brij Bhushan Singh has been charged under multiple Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections. These include assaulting a woman to outrage her modesty (section 354), sexual harassment (354A), and stalking (354D). He has also been accused of seeking sexual favors in return for helping these wrestlers in their careers.