Picture Credit: Twitter
Indian wrestlers who have been protesting against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh have decided to suspend their protests till June 15 after the government sought time to complete its investigation. This came after the wrestlers met Sports Minister Anurag Thakur at his residence on Wednesday, June 7.
According to the PTI, Sakshi Malik said, "The government has sought time till June 15 for the investigation to conclude. The protest is not over yet.” In the key meeting, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik presented their five major demands to the union minister. Notably, wrestlers have been demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan for alleging him of sexual behaviour and misconduct. Earlier, Thakur had tweeted that the Indian government is ready for a discussion with the wrestlers.
Also read: Sakshi Malik brushes news of her withdrawal from protests
The wrestlers requested the appointment of a woman chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and the withdrawal of police FIRs against them. They are demanding open and fair elections within the WFI. Not only this, but the protesting wrestlers have also demanded that the BJP MP and any of his family members shouldn’t be participating in the elections.
Earlier farmers’ union Bhartiya Kisan Union called off its protest on June 9 in support of the wrestlers, after the athletes met the Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday.
Five demands made by protesting wrestlers
- The wrestlers have urged that there should be a female leader of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
- Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and his family members should not be a part of the wrestling federation.
- They have demanded that there should be ‘free and fair’ elections for the WFI.
- In addition to these, wrestlers have also demanded that an FIR be lodged against them for allegedly breaking law and order in relation to a fight at the Jantar Mantar on April 28.
- Not only this, but the wrestlers have also called for the arrest of Brij Bhushan for allegedly harassing seven female wrestlers, including a minor.
The wrestlers have been protesting against Brij Bhushan demanding his arrest for allegedly sexually harassing seven female wrestlers, including a minor. So far, two FIRs have been lodged against him, and he has been booked under the POCSO Act.