Wrestlers-Govt logjam breaks: protest on pause, police chargesheet June 15

SIGNALLING the first breakthrough in the protracted standoff between the wrestlers and the Government over allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation federation president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the wrestlers agreed Wednesday to pause their protest until June 15.This is the date which, according to the Sports Miner Anurag Thakur who held talks with the wrestlers, a chargesheet in the case will be filed Delhi Police.This was the main takeaway from the six-hour-long meeting between Thakur and a delegation of wrestlers led Olympic medalls Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik. The government also agreed that Singh, or his close associates, would have no role in the new WFI body that is expected to be formed the end of this month after an election that will be held June 30. Besides, the wrestlers will be consulted in the appointment of office-bearers of the new WFI.
Wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik with Sports Miner Anurag Thakur in New Delhi on Wednesday. (Express photo Prem Nath Pandey)
Speaking to The Indian Express after the meeting, Thakur said “it is better for the country to have the award-winning grapplers on the mat than on the roads…It was a congenial atmosphere and all issues were agreed consensus.”

#WrestlersProtests
Sports Miner Anurag Thakur: “I had a long six-hour discussion with the wrestlers. We have assured them that the probe will be completed 15th June and chargesheets will be submitted. The WFI election will be done 30th June.”
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— Express Sports (@IExpressSports) June 7, 2023
Punia suggested that the protest could be relaunched in case the government fails to keep its word. “Government has assured us that the police investigation will be completed before June 15. We have also requested that all FIRs against wrestlers should be taken back and he (Thakur) has agreed to it. If no action is taken June 15, we will continue our protest.”

The Sunday midnight meeting with Union Home Miner Amit Shah, sources said, set the stage for the talks with Thakur.
Wednesday’s meeting between the wrestlers and the government was the third in less than two weeks. But this time, there was one big difference — the government publicly invited the wrestlers for talks. “The government is willing to have a discussion with the wrestlers on their issues,” Thakur tweeted at 12.47 am Wednesday. “I have once again invited the wrestlers for the same.”

The invite was seen as a response to one of the key demands made the wrestlers after they met Shah. That all future talks be held “publicly” for the sake of transparency. Following Thakur’s invitation, the wrestlers met him at his official residence in New Delhi.
It is learnt that the wrestlers also discussed their return to the mat, seeking to compete in the selection trials for the World Championships – which doubles up as a qualifying event for next year’s Paris Olympics – and the Asian Games.
The two major competitions will be held back-to-back in September and October and the selection trials for the same were originally scheduled to be held towards the end of this month.
However, after the wrestlers’ request, the trials are likely to be postponed so that they have enough time to prepare.
It is learnt that the government and the wrestlers were on common ground on most of the contentious issues but for one. The Sports Miner, it is learnt, wanted to issue a joint statement immediately after their talks ended but the wrestlers didn’t agree. They were also not keen to share the stage for a joint conference.

The government has also agreed to provide police protection to the complainants and accepted the demand of withdrawing the FIRs filed against the protesting wrestlers in connection with the events of May 28, when they were detained during their march to the new Parliament.
Thakur also informed them that two coaches have been added to the IOA-appointed ad-hoc committee that runs the day-to-day activities of the WFI. The demand for the formation of an Internal Complaints Committee, headed a woman, as mandated under the POSH law, has also been agreed upon.
Said Sakshi Malik: “We were told that the police investigation will be complete June 15. Till then, we have been asked to wait and suspend the protest. The Delhi Police will also withdraw the FIRs filed against the wrestlers on May 28.”
On April 21, seven female wrestlers, including a minor, had filed separate complaints of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation against the WFI president at Delhi’s
Connaught Place police station. The wrestlers later approached the Supreme Court, stating that the police were not regering FIRs. Subsequently, the police regered two FIRs.
These detail at least two instances of the WFI chief demanding “sexual favours” in lieu of professional assance; close to 15 incidents of sexual harassment that include 10 episodes of inappropriate touching, molestation that includes running hands over breasts, touching the navel; several instances of intimidation including stalking. Significantly, the minor has withdrawn her allegations and recorded a fresh statement. —With Divya A