Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur Invites Protesting Wrestlers For Talks

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur tweeted late night on Tuesday that the government is willing to have a dialogue with the protesting wrestlers. Thakur further stated that the government is open to discussing the wrestlers' concerns and said he has extended another invitation to meet.

This comes just days after the protesting wrestlers had a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Shah had met with the wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, on Saturday (3 June) night, 11 p.m., for over an hour.

According to reports, the wrestlers have stated that the protest movement will persist as they strategize on its next steps. Further, they have said that the government's response has been unsatisfactory, failing to meet the athletes' demands.

The wrestlers, including a minor, have accused BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment. They continue to demand an impartial investigation and immediate action taken against the BJP MP.

Notably, the Delhi Police have questioned three to four members of the federation and some staff members at the residence of Singh in connection with a sexual harassment investigation, according to sources familiar with the case.

BKU leader Rakesh Tikait confirmed that farmers' union hasn't withdrawn support to the wrestlers protest, and only postponed the June 9 demonstration against Singh, following the wrestlers' request.

During a 'Mahapanchayat' in Kurukshetra, Tikait had declared a protest in Delhi, demanding the apprehension of Singh. He had additionally warned of heightening the agitation and returning the protesting wrestlers to Delhi's Jantar Mantar if the government didn't take action against the ex-WFI president.