• Government willing to have discussion with protesting wrestlers: Sports Minister Anurag Thakur

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    Government willing to have discussion with protesting wrestlers:  Sports Minister Anurag Thakur

    "The government is willing to talk with the wrestlers about their problems." "I have invited the wrestlers once more for the same," Thakur said on social media after midnight on Wednesday.

    Digital Desk: Anurag Thakur, India's Minister of Youth
    Affairs and Sports, has tweeted that the central government is eager to have a
    'conversation' with protesting wrestlers.



    "The government is willing to talk with the wrestlers
    about their problems." "I have invited the wrestlers once more for
    the same," Thakur said on social media after midnight on Wednesday.



    The announcement came four days after Union Home Minister
    Amit Shah met with a team of protesting wrestlers at his official house in New
    Delhi.



    The Indian Express previously claimed that Olympic medalists
    Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, as well as other trainers, attended the
    meeting, which lasted more than two hours and concluded beyond midnight.
    "We met with the Interior Minister." "I can't comment any
    further," Bajrang told this newspaper.



    The bronze medalist from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics is among
    the country's top wrestlers who have been protesting in the national capital
    for more than a month, seeking the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India
    chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, whom they accuse of sexual harassment and
    misconduct.



    On April 28, the Delhi Police registered two FIRs against
    Singh, which, as reported by this publication on Friday, include at least two
    instances of demanding "sexual favours" in exchange for professional
    assistance; close to 15 incidents of sexual harassment, including 10 episodes
    of inappropriate touching, molestation (including running hands over breasts
    and touching the navel); and several instances of intimidation, including
    stalking.



    According to the Indian Express, one Olympian, a
    Commonwealth gold medalist, an international referee, and a state-level coach
    have corroborated the allegations of at least three female wrestlers, and are
    among the 125 potential witnesses from four states whose statements have been
    recorded by Delhi Police.



    The wrestlers raised the status of the inquiry into these
    charges against Singh during their meeting with Shah. The wrestlers emphasised
    their need for a robust chargesheet to be submitted as soon as possible.
    According to reports, the Home Minister stated that the proper procedure must
    be followed.