India’s top wrestlers protesting against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Wednesday met federal Sports Minister Anurag Thakur.
The meeting was held after Thakur in a tweet post-midnight Tuesday said that the government was “willing to have a discussion with the wrestlers on their issues”.
Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia and Sakshee Mallikh reached federal sports minister’s residence in New Delhi in the morning.
Media reports quoting sources said the grapplers put forth five demands, which first include that a woman should take over as the head of the wrestling body.
Second, they have sought neither Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh nor anyone from his family should be part of the WFI. Third, “free and fair” elections for the wrestling body be held.
The other two demands made by the wrestlers are that the first information report (FIR) registered against them for allegedly violating law and order in connection with a scuffle that broke out at Jantar Mantar on 28 April be revoked, and that WFI chief Singh should be arrested over alleged sexual harassment charges.
Before going to the meeting, Mallikh, while talking to the media, said that the wrestlers would not protest.
“We will see what proposal the government will offer us. Our main demand is that WFI chief should be arrested”, she stated.
The athletes have been protesting against Singh and demanding his arrest, accusing him of sexually harassing female wrestlers, including a minor.
The charges have been denied by Singh, as he said that if any of the charges are proven, he would hang himself.
This is the second meeting with a federal minister in a week after the wrestlers meeting Home Minister Amit Shah on 3 June. Shah asked them to “let the law take its course”.
Meanwhile, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait welcomed the meeting and said that a resolution could only be found after talks.