Centre invites protesting wrestlers for talks, assures fair probe

Following their meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah, wrestlers protesting against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh have received an invitation from the government to engage in talks regarding their concerns.

In a tweet posted after midnight on Tuesday, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur expressed the government’s willingness to discuss the wrestlers’ issues and extended another invitation to them. The wrestlers have been engaged in a protest, demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is a BJP MP.

They have accused him of sexually harassing some women wrestlers, allegations that he has refuted. The Delhi Police have conducted interviews with Singh’s associates and individuals working at his residence in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, as part of the ongoing investigation.

Additionally, a minor complainant, whose statement served as the basis for a case filed against Singh under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, has provided a fresh statement under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) section 164.

According to reports, top wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat are scheduled to attend a khap mahapanchayat in Haryana on today.

The meeting will be held in Balali, the home village of Vinesh and the other Phogat sisters.

Sources said the mahapanchayat, which will be led by farmer leaders, will chalk out the future course of the protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. (With inputs from PTI)