India's ace wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshee Malikkh who are leading protests against Wrestling Federation Chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, held talks today with Sports Minister Anurag Thakur at his home after his late-night invite on Twitter.
This is the second meeting between the wrestlers and the government in five days. The wrestlers met with Home Minister Amit Shah late on Saturday over their demand for action against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment by seven women wrestlers.
"The government is willing to have a discussion with the wrestlers on their issues. I have once again invited the wrestlers for the same," Mr Thakur tweeted at 12.47 am last night.
The post came hours after Bajrang Punia's interview with NDTV, in which he denied any deal with the government and said the wrestlers were asked to keep their meeting with Amit Shah a secret.
Sources say after the interview, Mr Punia received a phone call from the Home Minister, who invited the wrestlers to another round of talks.
Mr Punia reportedly told Mr Shah that the wrestlers did not want any secretive meeting.
After Amit Shah's chat with Mr Punia, Mr Thakur posted another invite for talks.
In an exclusive interview with NDTV on Tuesday, Mr Punia said Mr Shah, during the Saturday meeting, informed them that an investigation was underway.
"The protest movement hasn't died down, it will continue. We have been strategising on how to take it forward," Mr Punia said. "The athletes aren't satisfied with the government's response, neither is the government agreeing to our demands."
Mr Shah met with Mr Punia, Sakshee Malikkh, Sangita Phogat, and Satyawart Kadian for more than an hour at 11 pm.
Seven women wrestlers, including a minor, have accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment. The wrestlers have demanded an impartial investigation and swift action against the wrestling body chief.
The Delhi Police have interviewed several people in connection with the sexual harassment case against Mr Singh. Sources say that three to four members of the federation have been questioned while some staff members at Mr Singh's Delhi residence have been called in for questioning by the police.
Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Tuesday said that the farmers' union has not withdrawn its support to the wrestlers and has only postponed the June 9 demonstration against Mr Singh at the request of the wrestlers.
"We were aware of the recent meeting (with Mr Shah) and have been in close contact with the wrestlers. We have been asked to refrain from any major protests or demonstrations," he added.
On Friday, at a 'Mahapanchayat' in Kurukshetra, Mr Tikait announced that he would stage a protest in Delhi, demanding the arrest of Mr Singh. the farmer leader also threatened to intensify the agitation and bring back the protesting wrestlers to Delhi's Jantar Mantar if the government did not take action against the wrestling body chief.
"'The Sabarmati Report' Defies Ecosystem": Amit Shah's Praise For Film Amit Shah Reviews Manipur Security Situation Amid Unrest: Sources Poll Body Notices To Congress, BJP Over Rahul Gandhi, Amit Shah Speeches Indian Student In US Accidentally Shoots Himself Dead While Celebrating Birthday Amazon Employee Greets Friend At Wedding, Dies Of Cardiac Arrest "Truth Is...": BJP Leader Slaps Case Against Rahul Gandhi In Cash-For-Vote Row Bodies Of Infant, 5 Hostages Of Same Family Killed In Manipur Brought Home From Screams To Stunning Themes: 10 Of The Best Roller Coasters In The World Explainer: The Climate Conundrum At COP29 Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.