Indian Olympian Sakshi Malik announced retirement after accused former President of WFI is replaced by his close ally

Top Indian wrestler announced her retirement in protest after accused President of Country’s Wrestling Federation was replaced by his close ally. According to the information, Olympic wrestler Sakshi Malik, in a press conference declared her decision to quit wrestling after, accused of sexual abuse former President Brij Bhushan of Wrestling Federation was replaced by Sanjay Singh, who is said to be his close ally. Another Bronze medalist in Olympics, Bajrang Punia to return his Padma Shri (highest civilian award) in protest against the decision. ‘We gathered a lot of courage for this fight against the WFI President (Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh). But today, his right hand (referring to Sanjay Singh) has been elected as the new WFI President. We had demanded a woman be made the President, but that has not been fulfilled, says wrestler Sakshi Malik at a press conference’ quoted Press Trust India.
Earlier in 2023, six women wrestlers accused BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment, which he denied in front of the court. Bronze medal winner in Olympics, Sakshi Malik led the protest, since the very beginning along with Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat. The wrestlers announced to throw their medals in the Ganga river and fast indefinitely at the India Gate in May 2023, against no investigation carried. Simultaneously Delhi Police was also criticized for not looking into the matter severely. Protest was joined by the number of people and grabbed attention worldwide.
Wrestling Coach, Dharam Choudhary is a full-time personal instructor. He even train students in school. Mr. Choudhary on Sakshi Malik quitting wrestling, said, ‘This is very unfortunate to hear. She is one of the best wrestlers our country have. She has won number of medals for our country, has represented our nation at various international competitions, and today looking at her being so helpless and hopeless is a shame for government, who takes pride whenever, players won medal.’ He further added that, she is asking for a bare minimum from government, to appoint a women coach to make our women wrestlers feel safe. Is it too much to ask? After Sakshi Malik conducted conference, Sports Ministry suspended WFI, till further orders. ‘I was in the flight. I’ve not received any letter yet. First let me see the letter, only then I will comment. I heard that some activity has been stopped, said newly elected President of WFI’ quoted ANI. According to the available information, the WFI elections were held on December 21, where Sanjay Singh and his panel won the polls by big margin, who is also considered as Brij Bhushan’s loyalist.
How relevant it is for such governmental bodies to have someone with a clean and related background, to have the authority? ‘I have committed one murder in my life. Whatever people may say, I have committed one murder’ BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said this in an interview given to a new portal, Lallantop during Uttar Pradesh elections in 2022, quoted by The Print. The news report says, ‘A six-time MP, Brij Bhushan once faced as many as 38 cases against him under various charges including theft, rioting, murder, criminal intimidation, attempt to murder, kidnapping, etc all lodged between 1974 and 2007. He was also booked in a case under the UP Goondas Act and three more under the stringent Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, in that period, according to police records’. According to Mr. Choudhary, ‘It is very important for government to look into, who is given responsibility of what department. You can’t give authority to somebody, just because he belongs to the ruling political party or is known to be close to any of the big leaders in the country. Leading a federation means, to take the responsibility of each and every person who ever is associated with it and to create a safe environment for the players, who represent country globally’
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been granted bail in the case but cannot leave the country without permission. He is also ordered to not threaten the individuals directly or indirectly, who filed case against him. Mr. Choudhary told EAT news, corruption always ruins the system and such cases are instances of them. ‘I believe, corruption is not only about bribe or black money. Corrupt people increases corruption and damages the system. India is one of the toughest competitions in wrestling, worldwide and our wrestlers have always given showcased their best form in every possible fight. And letting down those players with no consideration of what they are going through, shows the failure of government’, he said. He further added that, if our women wrestlers are not feeling safe and are relying on quitting their game because of no other option, Prime Minister should intervene and look into the matter.
However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kept his silence over the matter, since the protest started. Even though, the protest ended, demands are still unfulfilled.