Wrestlers Protest: Government has invited protesting grapplers for talks, says Sports Minister Anurag Thakur

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New Delhi, June 7: Sports Minister Anurag Thakur has said the government has invited the wrestlers protesting against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for talks on their issues, just days after they met Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The protesting wrestlers have been demanding for the arrest of the WFI Chief, whom they had accussed of sexual harrassment of some women wrestlers. Home Minister Shah had told them that law will take it's course.

However, in the early hours of Wednesday (June 7), Sports Minister Thakur took to social media to reveal that the government is ready to have talks with the protesting wrestlers on their issues.

"The government is willing to have a discussion with the wrestlers on their issues. I have once again invited the wrestlers for the same," tweeted Thakur just minutes after midnight.

Earlier on Tuesday (June 7), Thakur had said fair investigation will be conducted into the allegations of sexual harassment levelled by women wrestlers against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is also a BJP MP.

"The government has already formed a committee (to probe the allegations against Singh). The police are investigating the matter by registering an FIR. A charge sheet will also be filed and fair investigation will be done," the Union minister said.

Earlier, the Delhi Police recorded the statements of Singh's associates and those working at his residence in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda as part of the investigation, officials said.

They also said a minor complainant whose statement was the basis of a case registered against Singh under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has recorded a fresh statement under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) section 164.

Meanwhile, the protesting wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia have returned to their offices, but deny that the protest has died down as they say the fight will continue.

"The protest movement hasn't died down, it will continue. We have been strategising on how to take it forward," Punia told in an exclusive interview with NDTV. "The athletes aren't satisfied with the government's response, neither is the government agreeing to our demands."