Olympic medallist Sakshee Malikkh and her wrestler husband Satyawart Kadian on Saturday insisted that the wrestlers’ protest was not politically motivated. They said that the protesting wrestlers kept mum for years despite facing harassment because the wrestling federation was not united earlier.
Kadian posted a video on the microblogging site, saying that a false narrative was being created around their protest and they wanted to clear the air, according to a report published by the news agency PTI.
“Let me make it clear that our protest is not politically-motivated. We came (to Jantar Mantar) in January, and permission was taken by two BJP leaders seeking police permission,” Kadian said.
Country’s top wrestlers including Sakshee Malikkh, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, accused outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment and intimidation.
Leaders from different political parties, including Congress’ Priyanka Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik visited the protest site, extending their support to the wrestlers before they were removed from Jantar Mantar on May 28.
He said the wrestlers’ protest is not Congress-supported and more than 90% of people knew that it has been going on for the last 10-12 years. Kadian also reiterated that their fight is against the WFI chief and not against the government, PTI reported.
Sakshee Malikkh said, “You have seen that the minor has retracted her statement. Her family was intimidated. These wrestlers come from poor families. It’s not easy to muster the courage to take on a powerful man,” the Rio Games bronze medallist said. Kadian said the police brutality they faced on May 28 broke them. The police had detained them and pushed them into buses, an action that faced criticism from all quarters.”
She further stated that they cannot explain what the wrestlers went through and their dignity was being trampled despite winning medals for the country.
“If we have done something wrong, we apologize,” Kadian said and thanked everyone, who came out to support them.
Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat, prominent wrestlers in India and achievers at the Tokyo Olympics and World Championships, staged a protest at Jantar Mantar for more than a month.
Their primary demand was the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is not only the Chief of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) but also a BJP MP representing Kaiserganj constituency in Uttar Pradesh.
(With PTI inputs)
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Updated: 18 Jun 2023, 09:19 AM IST
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