Wrestlers suspend protest on Minister’s assurance

Samridhi Tewari, Mehul Malpani

Anurag Thakur tells protesters that police probe against WFI chief will be completed by June 15; FIRs registered against wrestlers on May 28 for rioting will be taken back, says Sakshi Malik

Wrestlers suspend protest on Minister’s assurance

Reaching out: Sports Minister Anurag Thakur talking to the media after meeting wrestlers in New Delhi. SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

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Thursday, 8th June 2023
Page No. 3
Chennai Print Edition
SUPPLEMENTMain Edition

After a six-hour meeting between the agitating wrestlers and Union Minister for Sports Anurag Thakur on Wednesday, a common ground has been found where the wrestlers have agreed to suspend their agitation till June 15, as the Minister assured them that the Delhi police would complete the probe by then and file a chargesheet in the case.

The wrestlers have been demanding action against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing sexual harassment charges.

Olympic winners Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik met with Mr. Thakur at his official residence in New Delhi, after he invited them for a meeting, three days after Home Minister Amit Shah met them for a similar discussion.

Mr. Thakur said he heard all their demands and assured them of full cooperation from the government.

Ms. Malik told The Hindu that during the meeting, they had discussions on several issues, including safety of both female and male wrestlers.

“It has been discussed that the police investigation will be completed by June 15. We have been requested to not protest till then, to which we have agreed. Mr. Thakur had agreed that the FIRs registered against us, on May 28, for rioting, will also be taken back,” she said.

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