Wrestlers agree to suspend protest till June 15 on government’s request | More sports News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: In a significant development, the protesting wrestlers decided to temporarily suspend their protest for a week after the government requested them to await the completion of the police investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, by June 15.
Following a lengthy meeting with Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, which lasted close to six hours, the wrestlers announced that the government had also assured them that the police would withdraw the First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against them.

These wrestlers had been booked for violating law and order on May 28 when they marched towards the new Parliament building without permission to hold a gathering called ‘Mahila Samman Mahapanchayat’ (Women’s Respect Conference).
Prominent wrestlers, including Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, her husband Satyawart Kadiyan and Jitender Kinha, were present at the meeting. However, Vinesh Phogat, a double world championships medallist and a key figure in the protest against the WFI chief, was absent.

“We were told that the police investigation will be complete by June 15. Till then, we have been asked to wait and suspend the protest,” Sakshi Malik told reporters after the meeting.
Both Malik and Punia emphasised that their protest was not yet concluded, and they had only temporarily suspended it until June 15 as requested by the government.

In a subsequent press conference, Thakur announced that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections would be held by June 30, addressing one of the key demands of the protesting wrestlers.
Two senior coaches will be added to IOA’s ad-hoc committee, mainly to provide technical assistance during the competitions.
This crucial meeting was convened by Thakur with the aim of resolving the impasse between the wrestlers and the authorities.
With the protest temporarily on hold, the focus now shifts to the impending police investigation and the upcoming WFI elections, which will determine the future course of action for the wrestling community.