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Olympic Wrestler Sakshi Malik ‘Seated On His Bed’ Accuses Brij Bhushan For Sexual Harassment

October 22, 2024, 11:25 am

In her memoir Witness, Sakshi Malik, the 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medallist, has recounted some of the most painful and traumatic moments of her career. Malik, who recently announced her retirement from wrestling, has made a shocking allegation against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexual harassment.

Disturbing Incident at the 2012 Asian Junior Championship

One of the most harrowing incidents, detailed in Witness, occurred during the 2012 Asian Junior Championship in Almaty, Kazakhstan. According to Sakshi Malik, Singh lured her into his hotel room under the pretext of speaking to her parents on the phone. After the call, he allegedly tried to molest her.

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“Singh connected me to my parents. It seemed harmless. But after I ended the call, he tried to molest me while I was seated on his bed. I pushed him off and started to cry,” Malik wrote, further alleging that Singh attempted to justify his behavior by claiming his actions were paternal, saying he had put his arms around her “papa jaise” (like a father). Malik managed to escape the room, running back to hers in tears.

A Pattern of Abuse

This isn’t the only traumatic experience Malik has endured. In her memoir, she also shared a disturbing incident from her childhood, involving a tuition teacher who harassed her for an extended period. The teacher would touch her inappropriately and call her over for lessons at odd hours. For years, Sakshi Malik kept silent, fearing it was her fault. Eventually, she confided in her mother, who supported her during both the incident with the teacher and her encounter with Singh.

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Emotional Impact and Moving Forward

Reflecting on the 2012 incident, Sakshi Malik revealed that her parents advised her to focus on her training and competitions, urging her to move forward despite the trauma. “It doesn’t seem like much today, but I was grateful that I was allowed to continue to train, at least,” she said.

Malik’s courageous revelations have reignited discussions about the treatment of women in sports, particularly in wrestling, and shed light on the importance of addressing such issues openly and with the support of family and the community.

Sakshi Malik on Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat Joining Congress: “Their Personal Choice”

September 6, 2024, 3:34 pm

Olympic medallist wrestler Sakshi Malik commented on the impending political induction of fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat into the Congress party, stating that it was their personal decision to enter politics. Malik clarified that, despite receiving political offers herself, she has no plans to pursue a political career, preferring to continue her advocacy for women’s rights in wrestling.

“I also received several political offers, but I refused them because I believe in staying true to my fight for women in wrestling,” Malik said. She emphasized that her struggle remains focused on improving the sport for women and that her agitation against exploitation in wrestling continues. Malik’s remarks came shortly before Punia and Phogat were seen leaving the residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, as part of their formal induction into the party.

This development comes ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections scheduled for October 5, with the counting of votes on October 8. Both Phogat and Punia were involved in protests against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who faced allegations of sexual harassment in 2023.

Malik reiterated that her fight was solely against Brij Bhushan and had no political motivations. “I am apolitical and will not join any party campaign. My fight was only against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh,” she said.

Sources suggest that while Bajrang Punia will not contest the elections, he is likely to be appointed as the co-chairman of the Haryana Congress campaign committee. Vinesh Phogat, however, is expected to contest the election, with her seat to be finalized soon.

This political move comes after both Punia and Phogat met Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in the national capital earlier this week, fueling speculation about their entry into politics. Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified from the 50 kg gold medal bout at the Paris Olympics in 2024 and subsequently retired from wrestling, is expected to follow in the footsteps of her cousin Babita Phogat, a BJP MLA.

Vinesh Phogat Seals Finals Spot, Guarantees Medal For India At Paris Olympics 2024

August 6, 2024, 11:00 pm

Vinesh Phogat has etched her name in history by becoming the first Indian female wrestler to secure a medal other than bronze at the Olympics. The 29-year-old ensured at least a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics by defeating Yusneylis Guzman Lopez of Cuba 5-0 in the women’s 50 kg freestyle wrestling semifinal.

This achievement surpasses the previous record set by Sakshi Malik, who won bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Vinesh is now one match away from making history as the first Indian wrestler to win an Olympic gold medal.

A Path to the Final

Earlier in the day, Vinesh stunned the wrestling world by defeating Yui Susaki, the Tokyo gold medalist and four-time World Champion, in the opening bout. Susaki, who had an unbroken streak of 82 international wins, was defeated by Vinesh’s strategic brilliance, ending the match with a 3-2 victory.

Buoyed by this incredible win, Vinesh faced Ukraine’s Oksana Livach in the quarterfinals. Livach, a former European champion and World Championship bronze medalist, put up a tough fight, but Vinesh emerged victorious with a 7-5 win.

Overcoming Olympic Challenges

Despite a decorated career that includes three Commonwealth Games gold medals, an Asian Games title, and eight Asian Championship medals, Vinesh had yet to find Olympic success in Rio and Tokyo. Her breakthrough in Paris was met with jubilation in the Indian camp, as she eliminated a significant challenge from Susaki’s half of the draw.

Triumph Over Susaki

The bout against Susaki highlighted Vinesh’s strategic acumen. Both wrestlers began cautiously, and Vinesh was initially penalized for passivity, giving Susaki a 1-0 lead. The match continued similarly, and Vinesh found herself trailing 0-2 after another penalty.

With only 20 seconds remaining, Vinesh seized her opportunity. She initially failed to grab Susaki’s left leg but capitalized on her unstable stance to execute a two-point takedown with just nine seconds left, securing the victory. Her emotional celebration with coach Woller Akos followed, as the Japanese corner’s challenge was dismissed.

Victory Against Livach

Dropping to the 50 kg class due to Antim Panghal’s qualification in the 53 kg category, Vinesh faced a physical adjustment but remained unfazed against Livach. She led 4-0 with consecutive takedowns, displaying strength and technique. Livach mounted a comeback, narrowing the gap with a double-leg attack and a push-out point. A failed challenge from Vinesh’s side made the score 5-4. With 48 seconds remaining, Vinesh secured another takedown, ensuring her victory despite Livach scoring once more.

Preparation and Activism

Before the Paris Games, Vinesh triumphed at the Spanish Grand Prix, gaining valuable mat time. Her preparation also included significant activism, as she was a key figure in protests against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, spending nights demonstrating at Jantar Mantar.

Vinesh’s historic journey at the Paris Olympics reflects her dedication and resilience as she prepares to compete for the gold medal in the final.

Fresh protest erupts in Indian wrestling; this time directed towards Bajrang, Sakshi and Vinesh

January 3, 2024, 4:05 pm

As a result of the loss of a pivotal year in their careers, which they attributed to top grapplers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat, hundreds of junior wrestlers gathered at Jantar Mantar here on Wednesday, adding a new twist to the ongoing crisis in Indian wrestling. The junior wrestlers surprised the police when they arrived, loaded into buses, from various parts of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi. Arya Samaj Akhara in Chhaprauli, Baghpat was the source of nearly 300 of them, while the Virender Wrestling Academy in Narela was the source of many more. When more wrestlers show up at the historic protest site, many of the ones who are currently crammed into buses intend to get off and join their comrades.

Slogans disparaging Punia, Malik, and Phogat were yelled as the security guards tried to subdue them. “UWW save our wrestling from these 3 wrestlers” was written on the banners carried by the protesters. When the top three wrestlers demanded the arrest of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh after accusing him of sexually harassing female wrestlers, they ironically managed to garner a great deal of support for their cause at the same protest site almost a year ago.

Thousands of supporters of Malik, Phogat, and Punia turned out from a variety of social groups, including farmers’ organizations, social workers, politicians, women’s organizations, and wrestling fraternity members. The three are currently the target of demonstrations from members of their community who have gathered at Jantar Mantar, claiming that they have ruined their careers. National teams and tournaments have not taken place since January 2023 because the WFI has been suspended twice and the sport is now governed by an ad hoc panel.

Sports Ministry suspends wrestling federation over ‘hasty’ announcements, amid controversy over WFI polls

December 24, 2023, 12:19 pm

In a significant move, coming in light of fresh protests by star wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia over the election of an aide of deposed WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh as the new president of the wrestling federation, the Union Sports Ministry on Sunday suspended the sport’s premier governing body in the country along with all its office-bearers.
The decision came close on the heels of the newly elected WFI president Sanjay Singh announcing the hosting of the U-15 and U-20 nationals at Nandini Nagar in the Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh by the end of the year.
Later, fellow Olympian Bajrang Punia returned his Padma Shri in protest, expressing his concerns about Sanjay Singh’s appointment as the new head of the WFI. Earlier, prominent wrestlers spearheaded a demonstration in which they publicly denounced Brij Bhushan and accused him of harassing them sexually.

“This announcement is hasty, without giving sufficient notice to wrestlers who are to take part in the said nationals and without following the provisions of the constitution of WFI. As per clause 3 (e) of the preamble of the constitution of WFI, the object of the WFI, among others, is to arrange the holding of Senior, Junior and Sub Junior National Championships as per UWW Rules at places selected by the Executive Committee,” the Sports Ministry stated in a release on Sunday.
“Such decisions are to be taken by the Executive Committee, before which agendas are required to be placed for consideration. As per Article XI of the WFI constitution under the Heading ‘Notices and Quorum for Meetings’, the minimum notice period for EC meetings is 15 clear days and the quorum is of 1/3rd of representatives. Even for Emergency EC meetings, the minimum notice period is 7 clear days with a quorum requirement of 1/3rd of representatives,” the ministry added.

“Fight will continue in court, not on roads”: Wrestlers’ protest against WFI president

June 26, 2023, 10:31 am

Top wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia have called off their protest, claiming that the government has fulfilled its pledge to charge Wrestling Federation Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh with sexual harassment. They said that the fight will now be fought in court, not on the roads. Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik also announced they were taking a short break from social media.
Malik took to Twitter on Sunday to state that the “battle will now be fought in court and not on roads till justice is delivered.”
The wrestlers posted identical tweets yesterday in which they said that the government has fulfilled its promise of filing a chargesheet against Singh, a six-time BJP MP.
“As per the talks held on June 7, the government has implemented our demands. The Delhi Police on June 15 had submitted before the court the chargesheet after conducting a probe into allegations of sexual harassment (against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh), on the basis of an FIR filed by six women wrestlers. Now, the fight will continue in court and not on roads till justice is delivered,” the tweet posted by the three top grapplers read.
They further said that they will wait for fresh WFI elections which is scheduled to take place on July 11 as promised by the government.
“The process for fresh Wrestling Federation of India election has begun. The polls are scheduled to be held on July 11 as promised by the government. We will wait for the implementation of the promise,” the wrestlers said. Since the beginning of the year, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat have been organising rallies against Singh for alleged sexual harassment.
After being removed from their Jantar Mantar protest site on May 28, the grapplers suspended their demonstration till June 15 after Union sports minister Anurag Thakur informed them that a chargesheet will be filed against BJP MP Singh.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has moved the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections from July 6 to July 11. The election of WFI executive committee members will take place. According to an IOA letter, the incumbents of the positions of president, senior vice president, four vice presidents, secretary general and treasurer, two joint secretaries, and five executive members will be decided.
The deadline for submitting names for the electoral college is June 25 at 5:00 p.m. Each state/union territory will submit two nominees. According to the letter, all state/UT wrestling federations will nominate two members of their respective executive bodies to constitute the electoral collage for the election to elect the WFI’s executive committee.
On June 28, the electoral college will be prepared and displayed, distributed to affiliates, and published on the IOA/WFI websites.
Nominations for election will be accepted from June 29 to July 1 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The preparation and display of nominations received by returning officers will be completed by 1 p.m. on July 3. “The scrutiny of nomination papers will be done on July 4 by 11 AM. The submission of the notice of withdrawal of candidates will be done between July 4 to July 7, till 5 PM. On July 8, a final list of candidates will be made by 11 AM,” the letter added.
Polling will be done on July 11 from 11 AM to 1:20 PM. The counting of votes will start from 1:30 PM and results will be declared on the same day.

Babita Phogat attacks Sakshi Malik, calls her ‘Congress puppet’

June 18, 2023, 2:55 pm

Olympian wrestler and BJP leader Babita Phogat issued a statement on her Twitter handle on Wrestler Sakshi Malik’s video, posted on Saturday, calling her a “Congress puppet”.
In the video posted yesterday, Sakshi Malik and wrestler Satyawart Kadian thanked Babita Phogat for supporting the wrestlers’ protest and serving as a mediator between the wrestlers and the central government in the video that was posted yesterday. Babita Phogat disputed the assertions made by Sakshi Malik and her husband in a tweet.

“Yesterday I felt very sad and laughed too when I was watching the video of my little sister (Sakshi Malik) and her husband, first of all I want to make it clear that the permission paper which was shown by her, I have nothing to do with it and neither it has my signature,” Babita Phogat wrote in her tweet.

“I have been saying from day one that have faith in the Prime Minister and the judicial system of the country, the truth will definitely come out. As a female player, I was always with all the players of the country and will be, but I was against the protest from the beginning. I had told all the wrestlers that you should meet Prime Minister or the Union Home Minister, and the solution will come from there only,” Babita said.She also alleged that Congress leaders are using the emotions of protesting wrestlers for political benefits. Babita also attacked Sakshi and called her a “Congress puppet”.”But you found your solution in @DeependerSHooda @INCIndia and @priyankagandhi, and others who themselves are guilty of rape and other cases, but the people of the country have now recognized the faces of the opposition. The opposition should now answer to all those soldiers, farmers and women wrestlers with whose emotions they have played for their political benefit.

Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik meet union minister after midnight initiation

June 7, 2023, 11:50 am

Wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia arrived at Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur’s residence on Wednesday, hours after he invited them to ‘discuss their concerns’ late at night. Wrestlers have demanded that Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh be arrested on charges of sexual harassment and intimidation.

Thakur took to his official Twitter handle and wrote shortly after midnight on Wednesday that “The government is willing to have a discussion with wrestlers on their issues. I have once again invited the wrestlers for the same.”

Thakur’s invitation comes just days after the wrestlers met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the allegations against Brij Bhushan, a Bharatiya Janata Party MP. The wrestlers met Shah at his home last week but expressed dissatisfaction; Punia told reporters that the protesters were “not happy with the government’s response.”

He furthermore said that he wanted to know why Brij Bhushan had not yet been arrested, despite the fact that Delhi Police had filed two FIRs against him only after the Supreme Court intervened, and he warned Shah that the wrestlers would not back down.

Punia later told reporters that he had been told not to reveal that the wrestlers had met with Amit Shah, but he chose to do so anyway.

No final solution was achieved, says Sakshi Malik after meeting Amit Shah over wrestlers’ protest

June 5, 2023, 7:42 pm

Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik claimed on Monday that no resolution was reached following the wrestlers’ “normal conversation” with Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday night regarding their protests against Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is accused of sexual harassment.

“It was a normal conversation and no final solution was achieved. Our demand will be the same, to get the accused arrested,” Malik told the reporters.

In a demonstration against Brij Bhushan, Malik and Bajrang Punia have been calling for his arrest over claims of sexual harassment against seven wrestlers, including one kid. They are joined by fellow Olympian and World Championship medalist Vinesh Phogat. Singh has refuted every accusation.

“We have not withdrawn our names, Vinesh, I and Bajrang are together in this protest and we have not withdrawn our names,” Malik told news agency.

In the first such high-level engagement into the ongoing situation, Shah is said to have listened to the wrestlers until late. Anurag Thakur, the sports minister, guaranteed the wrestlers that their accusations would be fairly investigated earlier.

The late-night meeting with Shah takes place just days after the wrestlers attempted to dip their medals in the Ganga in Haridwar but were prevented by farmer activist Rakesh Tikait, who has given the government till June 9 to apprehend Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Sakshi Malik’s father, Sukhbir Malik, claimed that during their meeting with Shah, she, Punia, and Phogat made two demands: they called for Brij Bhushan to be detained and for honest officials to be appointed to the wrestling federation.

Rumor’s debunk: Wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia withdrawal from protest

June 5, 2023, 4:44 pm

Top wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia denied media reports that they had withdrawn from the ongoing protest against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was accused of sexually harassing several female grapplers.

“This news is completely wrong. In the fight for justice, none of us has backed down, nor will we. Along with Satyagraha, I am fulfilling my responsibility in Railways. Our fight continues till justice is served. Please don’t spread any wrong news,” Malik tweeted sharing a screenshot of a news report from a news channel.

https://twitter.com/SakshiMalik/status/1665645066105544705

“The news of withdrawing the movement is just a rumour. These news are being spread to harm us. We have neither retreated nor have we withdrawn the movement. The news of women wrestlers raising FIR is also false. The fight will continue till justice is served,” Punia tweeted.

Malik, Punia, and Vinesh Phogat, who were evicted from their Jantar Mantar protest site on May 28, have returned to work for Indian Railways. According to Northern Railways headquarters, Malik joined her Baroda House office in New Delhi on May 31, a day after the high drama in Haridwar, where the trio stopped short of immersing their international medals in the Ganga due to a late intervention by Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) president Naresh Tikait.

Malik authorized the conduct of Railways inter-divisional championships in cricket (men), badminton (men), weightlifting, basketball (men), volleyball (men), kabaddi (men), wrestling, boxing (men), athletics (men), and hockey (men) in a letter dated May 31.

Central government should provide justice to daughters: Mayawati on wrestlers being detained

May 29, 2023, 3:41 pm

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has urged the central government to come forward and provide justice to the daughters amid the wrestlers’ protests in the national capital.

India’s Olympic medallist wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia alongwith Vinesh Phogat and Sangeeta Phogat were detained by Delhi Police while attempting to march to the new Parliament building where the protesting wrestlers planned to stage a demonstration on Sunday. “Indian daughters, who have brought laurels to India’s name in world wrestling, are forced to agitate demanding action against the head of the Wrestling Federation of India for serious allegations of exploitation. The central government must come forward to provide justice to these daughters,” tweeted former Uttar Pradesh CM Mayawati.

विश्व कुश्ती में भारत का नाम रौशन करके गौरवपूर्ण स्थान पाने वाली भारतीय बेटियाँ कुश्ती फेडरेशन आफ इण्डिया के प्रमुख पर शोषण के गंभीर आरोपों के विरुद्ध कार्रवाई की माँग को लेकर आन्दोलन करने को मजबूर हैं। इन बेटियों को न्याय दिलाने के लिए केन्द्र सरकार को जरूर आगे आना चाहिए।

— Mayawati (@Mayawati) May 29, 2023

Earlier on Sunday, the protesting wrestlers who were trying to march towards the new Parliament from their site of protest at Jantar Mantar were stopped and detained by the security personnel in Delhi. Delhi Police earlier said that “unsocial elements” won’t be allowed to enter the national capital to ensure smooth conduct of the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building, said DCP, Sonipat East Gaurav Rajpurohit.

They forcefully dragged us inside bus: Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik

May 29, 2023, 1:09 pm

India’s Olympic medallist wrestler Sakshi Malik, along with fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sangeeta Phogat, were detained by Delhi Police when they attempted to march to the new Parliament building for a demonstration on Sunday. The wrestlers planned to protest against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan, who has been accused of sexually harassing women wrestlers. Seven women wrestlers have filed a police complaint against him.

Sakshi Malik said, stating that they were peacefully marching and trying to convey their message when they were forcefully dragged onto a bus by the police. She emphasized that they did not engage in any acts of rioting, damage public property, or disrupt the peace. The wrestlers were released by 6 pm in the evening after being detained.

Sakshi Malik also criticized the circulation of morphed photos showing Vinesh Phogat and Sangeeta Phogat smiling inside a vehicle after being pushed onto the bus, highlighting that the situation was misrepresented. The wrestlers had intended to hold a women’s Maha Panchayat in front of the new Parliament to address the issue of women’s dignity and the allegations against the WFI president. However, the security personnel stopped their march to ensure the smooth conduct of the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building.

Wrestlers’ protest: Minor wrestler records statement before Magistrate

May 11, 2023, 2:20 pm

The minor female wrestler, who along with some other wrestlers has made sexual harassment allegations against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, has recorded her statement before the magistrate.

Delhi Police said that the statement was recorded under CrPC 164 on Wednesday. Delhi Police is conducting a probe into the sexual harassment allegations by wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar against Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, a BJP MP.Two FIRs have been registered following a complaint by the wrestlers. Wrestlers have been on a protest at Jantar Mantar since April 23.

In their complaint to the police, the wrestlers alleged that seven female wrestlers, including a minor, were harassed by Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.Rio Olympic bronze medallist wrestler Sakshi Malik had on Wednesday asked Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to undergo a lie detector narco test if he is confident of his integrity.

“I challenge the WFI president to take a Narco Test. We are also willing to take the test. Let the truth come out in the open, who is the culprit and who is not,” Malik said at a press conference at Jantar Mantar.Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia said they want all competitions to take place under the ad hoc panel of IOA. “If the WFI chief is involved in any way, we will oppose it,” he said.

Wrestlers Protest: We’ll file case against WFI chief; says Vinesh Phogat

January 19, 2023, 6:01 pm

In the wrestlers’ protest, all the wrestlers have left the protest site and will resume the protest again on Friday at 10 a.m.

Earlier in the day Wrestler Vinesh Phogat said, from the government, we haven’t got any satisfactory response, we will make sure that WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh resigns and is jailed.

Meanwhile, wrestler Sakshi Malik said, “Govt did not promise any action, they have only given assurance and we’re not happy with the response, we request PM sir to ensure justice.”

Taking to Twitter Swati Maliwal said, “It’s been 24 hours since the country’s champion #Wrestlers have been on strike. When these players win medals, the leaders line up and take photographs with them and take credit for their victory. Why is everyone missing today? Swati Maliwal also asked five questions from the Sports Ministry.”

देश के चैंपियन #Wrestlers को धरने पर बैठे 24 घंटे हो चुके हैं। जब ये खिलाड़ी मेडल जीतते हैं तो नेता लाईन लगाके इनके साथ फोटो खिंचाते हैं इनकी जीत का क्रेडिट लेते हैं। आज सब ग़ायब क्यों ?

खेल मंत्रालय से मेरे 5 सवाल – pic.twitter.com/AABeZawg6z
— Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) January 19, 2023

Earlier in the day, champion wrestler and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Babita Phogat met with protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Thursday.

Meanwhile, wrestlers sitting in the protest are demanding action against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief for exploiting several athletes.

Addressing the gathering, Babita Phogat said, “I have assured them that the government is with them. I will try that their issues are resolved today.”

Earlier, the Haryana Sports and Youth Affairs Department and a former wrestler tweeted, “I stand with all my fellow players in this matter of wrestling. I assure all of you that I will work to raise this issue with the government at every level, and the future will be decided the way players feel right.”

“Babita Phogat has come from the government’s side for mediation. We will speak with her and then give more details,” Olympian and 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medalist Bajrang Punia said.

Moreover, on the day of the protest, wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Punia were sitting in silent protest.

“If we can fight for our country, then we can also fight for our rights. First of all, I thank all the players who have come here. And the statement that was given yesterday said that only 3 percent of players are sitting here, but according to me, all the players are here. You can imagine how strong the players are. And we raised our voice for our rights and are not going to bow down when we do not win,” Punia said.

“We wish that someday if any child comes to wrestling, he should not practice under some pressure,” Punia stated.

Earlier on Wednesday, wrestler Vinesh Phogat alleged that coaches who are favorites of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) harass the women.

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat also accused the wrestling federation chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, of calling her ‘khota sikka’ and sexually harassing girls.

“Coaches are harassing women and some coaches, who are favorites of the Federation, misbehave with women coaches as well. They sexually harass girls. The WFI president has sexually harassed many girls,” Phogat alleged.

However, a Lok Sabha MP from the BJP, Brij Bushan Singh, is heading the Wrestling Federation of India.