Protesting Wrestlers Meet Home Minister Amit Shah, Seek Speedy Action Against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Protesting wrestlers, who had previously threatened to throw their medals into the Ganga, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday (4 June) a day before their deadline for action against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh expired.

The meeting took place in the late hours at Shah's official residence in the Capital.

Olympic medalists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik attended a meeting that lasted over two hours and ended past midnight, along with some coaches, with the Home Minister, Indian Express reported.

Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang, and Sakshi have actively taken part in protests against Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment by seven female wrestlers, including a minor.

Singh was charged in two FIRs by Delhi Police on 28 April.

According to an Indian Express report, these FIRs accuse him of demanding sexual favours in exchange for professional assistance.

In addition, they contain 15 instances of sexual harassment, 10 of which involved inappropriate touching and molestation such as running hands over breasts and touching the navel.

Singh was also accused of stalking and intimidating individuals. According to the Indian Express, several individuals, including an Olympian, a Commonwealth gold medal winner, an international referee, and a state-level coach, have supported the claims of at least three female wrestlers.

Wrestlers met with Shah regarding the investigation of allegations against Singh, with the status of the probe being a primary concern.

They stressed the need for a strong chargesheet to be filed quickly.

Shah responded saying that the proper due process needs to be followed.

Earlier, Sports Minister Thakur urged wrestlers to "fully cooperate with a fair investigation” and let “the law take its own course”.

A meeting was held on 27 May between the wrestlers protesting and the government representatives, as the talks were unsuccessful, the wrestlers continued with their plan to march to the new Parliament, but were stopped on the way, and detained by the Delhi Police.

Additionally, the police filed an FIR alleging charges of rioting and multiple sections against them.

In response, the wrestlers decided to "immerse" their medals in the Ganga last Tuesday.

However, a last-minute phone call from a BJP leader and family pressure caused them to reconsider their decision during their visit to Haridwar.

BKU president Naresh Tikait requested wrestlers to postpone their decision for five days and also expressed that the government should be given 7 to 10 days to take action against Singh during a khap panchayat in Ayodhya after Singh was compelled to defer his rally on 2 June.