Wrestlers' protest paused till June 15, decision taken after meeting with sports minister

New Delhi: After a five-hour-long meeting with union sports minister Anurag Thakur, wrestlers have decided to pause their protest till June 15.

The minister presented a written proposal assuring the completion of the investigation against the BJP MP and wrestling federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. However, it had no mention of his arrest, reported NDTV.

The government has also offered to withdraw the cases filed against wrestlers on May 28 after clearing the protest site and detaining them during a march to the new parliament. Thakur called the meeting via Twitter by posting an open invite.

"We have been assured that the probe will be completed by June 15 and a charge sheet will be filed. Independent elections for the Wrestling Federation will be held by June 30," said Anurag Thakur. "Till then, the protest will be suspended, but the way forward will be decided after the 15th," said Punia.

The government has accepted the protesting wrestler's demand that Brij Bhushan Singh and people connected to him not be on a new internal committee of the federation. The minister added that the new committee will be headed by a woman.

The wrestlers said they will discuss Thakur's protest with supporting organisations and convey the decision to the government.

Seven women athletes including a minor have accused Brij Bhushan Singh of sexual harassment. But, the BJP MP has not been arrested yet which is unusual for cases involving minors.