Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia Accuse Wrestling Federation, Threaten to Resume Protests
New Delhi: Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia have levied serious allegations against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Sanjay Singh, accusing him of employing fraudulent tactics to lift the ban imposed by United World Wrestling (UWW). In response, they have filed a complaint against the WFI and threatened to resume protests.
The UWW recently lifted the temporary ban on India but stipulated that the national federation must provide a written guarantee promising no discriminatory action against protesting wrestlers Bajrang, Sakshi, and Vinesh Phogat.
The suspension by UWW was initiated last August due to the WFI’s failure to conduct timely elections. Bajrang, Sakshi, and Vinesh had been protesting for over a year, demanding the arrest of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for alleged sexual harassment of female wrestlers.
Sakshi, in a video posted on ‘X’, expressed dismay, stating, “Yesterday we learned that Sanjay Singh has formed an alliance with UWW to lift the suspension. Brij Bhushan and Sanjay Singh seem to think they are above the law.” When approached for comment during the Chess Olympiad torch handing over ceremony, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur responded, “We will address the matter accordingly.”
The accusations levelled by Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia against the WFI leadership highlight ongoing tensions within the Indian wrestling community, signaling a potential resurgence of protests unless their grievances are addressed.
