A crucial meeting between the top wrestlers, led by Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia, and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur took place at his residence on Wednesday morning. As the government continued its effort to strike a deal with the protesting grapplers, who are demanding the arrest of WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The meeting was called by Thakur to break the deadlock, as the wrestlers have been adamant that they will continue their agitation till Singh, whom they have accused of sexual harassment, is arrested.
The meeting was called by Thakur to break the deadlock, as the wrestlers have been adamant that they will continue their agitation till Singh, whom they have accused of sexual harassment, is arrested. Vinesh Phogat, a prominent face of the protest, is not attending the meeting as she is in her village Balali in Haryana to attend a pre-scheduled ‘panchayat’.
Punia, Rio Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik, and her wrestler husband Satyawart Kadiyan, arrived at the minister’s house for the meeting. Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait, who has been supporting the wrestlers in their protest, is not part of the meeting.
The wrestlers resumed their protest against Singh and the national federation on April 23 at Jantar Mantar.
