Protesting wrestlers - Sakshi Malik & Bajrang Punia’s high-level meet with Home Minister Amit Shah, which reportedly took place on June 3, has yielded some positive results, the Times of India has reported.
The grapplers’ primary demand is the immediate arrest of BJP MP Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, accused of sexually assaulting seven female wrestlers, including a minor.
The Home Minister, reportedly, did not agree to this demand and said that the arrest would only be made according to law and as per the legal procedure, TOI said quoting sources.
But the wrestlers’ other demands were agreed to by Shah, according to TOI.
They include appointing a female official to look after women wrestlers’ affairs in the new federation, withdrawal of FIRs filed against the grapplers and their supporters after they were detained during their May 28 march to the new Parliament building.
And the fourth request of Malik, Punia & others is that no family member or relative of Brijbhushan Singh be allowed to contest for any post in the anticipated wrestling federation elections.
Despite some positive outcomes, added TOI, the wrestlers remained firm on Brijbhushan's arrest as the condition to end their protest.
The meeting which was attended by Sakshi, Bajrang and Sakshi’s husband Satyawart Kadian apart from some wrestling coaches. Vinesh Phogat was reportedly absent from the discussion.
On June 5, around two days after the meeting, rumours were afloat that Sakshi Malik had withdrawn from the protest, however the Rio medallist refuted the speculations.