The only Indian woman wrestler ever to win an Olympic medal said she would quit the sport in protest after the country’s wrestling federation announced it would replace its president, who is accused of sexually harassing female athletes, with his close ally.
Sakshi Malik stated on Thursday at a press conference in New Delhi that it had taken a lot of “courage” to take on controversial and powerful politician Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, 66, who was a member of the country’s ruling party and the former head of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
“We fought with all we had,” she said, shortly after the new president was announced.
Malik, 31, refrained from crying and made the symbolic act of hanging up her shoes by placing them in front of her.
She said, “Future female wrestlers will also be exploited.”
“If (Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s) business partner and a close aide is elected as the new president, I quit wrestling.”
Malik, who won bronze in the women’s freestyle 58 kilograms at the 2016 Rio Olympics, was among several leading wrestlers who in January supported demands for an inquiry after allegations came to light against Singh of sexual harassment of younger athletes.
By June, the Delhi police had accused Singh of stalking, assault, and sexual harassment. He has not been arrested and has denied all allegations.
Speaking to media on Friday, Singh’s lawyer, Rajiv Mohan, said, “We are denying these charges as a whole. It is not possible that these alleged offenses took place over the years in the presence of brothers, husbands, and friends, and no one would say anything. Why would a lady keep silent for so long—that is, for three to four years?”
A few weeks ago, Malik and a few other prominent wrestlers staged a week-long demonstration against Singh’s supposed mistreatment, camping out on Delhi’s streets for days.
On Thursday, a panel of voters at the WFI appointed Sanjay Singh, a close aide but no relation to Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, as its new chief, reigniting the controversy that has plagued the sporting body for much of this year.
Anita Sheoran, a 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist in women’s wrestling, faced off against Sanjay Singh. She was a vocal critic of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and spoke of her desire to create reforms in the wrestling federation.
Sanjay Singh said his victory was a “triumph” for the wrestlers “who suffered in the past seven to eight months.”
“Wrestlers who want to compete should wrestle. Those who want to do politics, should do politics,” he said, according to local media reports.
The wrestlers’ protest had become a flashpoint of criticism against the ruling establishment, with rights activists and opposition politicians accusing authorities of blocking the course of justice.
Among those leading the protests alongside Malik was fellow female Olympian Vinesh Phogat, whose rise to prominence in the male-dominated sport has brought joy and pride to millions.
