Sakshi Malik claims ‘BJP’s Babita Phogat wanted to be WFI chief, encouraged wrestlers to protest against Brij Bhushan’

Sakshi Malik alleged that Babita Phogat had convened a gathering of wrestlers, encouraging them to demonstrate against the purported misbehavior of the Wrestling Federation of India.

According to a report by India Today, Olympic wrestler Sakshi Malik alleged that Babita Phogat from the Bharatiya Janata Party played a pivotal role in inspiring wrestlers to initiate a protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh with the intention of seizing his presidency at the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

During a recent interview with India Today TV, Sakshi Malik asserted that Babita Phogat had convened a gathering of multiple wrestlers, encouraging them to voice their grievances against the federation’s purported wrongdoing, encompassing instances of molestation.

Sakshi Malik, as quoted by India Today, revealed that Babita Phogat came to them with a proposal to protest against Brij Bhushan Singh as she had a personal motive of aspiring to be the WFI president.

The Olympic wrestler clarified that despite rumors suggesting Congress backing their protest, it was actually two BJP leaders, namely Babita Phogat and Tirath Rana, who assisted them in obtaining permission to protest in Haryana.

Sakshi Malik, the author of the newly published book ‘Witness’, emerged as one of the key figures in the extended demonstration against Brij Bhushan Singh. According to reports from news agency PTI, Malik revealed that their movement started showing signs of division when individuals associated with Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat influenced the group with notions of “greed”.

Sakshi Malik, the author of the newly published ‘Witness’, emerged as a key figure alongside two others in the enduring demonstration against Brij Bhushan Singh. Malik expressed that their united stand started faltering as individuals associated with Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat influenced them with selfish desires, according to PTI news agency.

Allegations have been made by three individuals against Brij Bhushan, the ex-leader of the Wrestling Federation of India, accusing him of sexually harassing female wrestlers while he was in office. The legal proceedings regarding this matter are currently ongoing in a court in Delhi.

The ad-hoc committee that assumed control of wrestling administration following WFI’s suspension made an exception for Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, allowing them to skip the 2023 Asian Games trials. However, despite recommendations from her peers, Sakshi Malik opted not to request the same privilege.

Sakshi Malik highlighted in her interview with India Today that the protest wasn’t solely driven by Babita Phogat but was actually kickstarted based on her recommendation.

She mentioned that it wasn’t about unquestioningly following her, rather acknowledging the prevalent serious issues such as sexual harassment and molestation in the federation. The hope was that entrusting leadership to a woman, particularly a sportsperson like Babita Phogat, would usher in positive transformations. The expectation was that she would empathize with their challenges. However, the magnitude of her manipulation was beyond their foresight.

On May 28, 2023, the protest came to a close when the wrestlers’ progression towards the new Parliament Building was obstructed by law enforcement.

Before the Haryana assembly elections last month, Vinesh and Bajrang both became members of the Congress party. Vinesh successfully ran for office and secured victory in the Julana constituency, whereas Bajrang was appointed as the leader of the party’s national farmers’ division.

In the lead-up to her political career, Vinesh faced a devastating setback in sports when she got disqualified from the 50kg category Olympic finals in Paris due to being 100gm over the weight limit.