New Delhi: No time has been fixed for a meeting with the government yet, ace wrestler Sakshee Malikkh said Wednesday, referring to a late-night tweet by Sports Minister Anurag Thakur inviting them for a “discussion”.
Malikkh told news agency ANI that they would discuss the proposal with their “seniors and supporters” and would agree to a meeting only when everyone was on the same page. “It won’t happen that we will agree to anything that the government says and end our protest. No time has been fixed for the meeting yet,” Malikkh said over telephone to ANI.
"We will discuss the proposal given by the govt with our seniors & supporters. Only when everyone gives their consent that the proposal is fine, then will we agree. It won't happen that we will agree to anything that the government says and end our protest. No time fixed for the… https://t.co/pJmNEe1943 pic.twitter.com/vmrfmSb5yY
— ANI (@ANI) June 7, 2023
Thakur tweeted past midnight Tuesday, saying the government was willing to have a discussion with the wrestlers over their issues. “I have once again invited the wrestlers for the same,” he said.
India’s top wrestlers have taken to the streets twice this year — and even faced brutal police action in the capital – to demand quick action against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Women wrestlers have accused Singh of sexual harassment, and want him arrested.
Seven women wrestlers, including a minor, have accused Singh of inappropriate behavior – a charge that has ignited protests since January.
In the end of April, the wrestlers – led by medal winners Bajrang Punia, Sakshee Malikkh and Vinesh Phogat – agitated open-air in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, but were forcibly evicted on 28 May while on a march to the new Parliament. The building was at that time being inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Frustrated at the government’s “inaction and apathy”, the wrestlers even gathered on the banks of the Ganga in Haridwar on 30 May to toss their medals in the river. They were, however, dissuaded by powerful farmer leaders, who then gave the government an ultimatum till 9 June to act against Singh.
A delegation from the grapplers also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the night of 3 June, and discussions dragged beyond midnight over their demands.
Shah apparently told the group that law would take its own course, Bajrang Punia informed NDTV. Punia also told the channel that they were asked not to talk about their meeting with Shah, and reiterated that the movement would continue till demands were met.
The Delhi Police has registered two FIRs against Singh – one under POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act) on the minor’s complainant and the other for a comprehensive investigation into the other six.
Also read: Wrestlers’ protest is no 2012 for Delhi’s urban class. Sexual violence now a partisan issue