Sakshi Malik, the Olympic bronze medalist and one of the most prominent female wrestlers in India, has announced her retirement from wrestling on Thursday, December 21, 2023 after a close aide of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), was elected as the new WFI chief.
Malik, who had been leading the ongoing protest against Bhushan and his alleged sexual harassment of female wrestlers, said that she felt betrayed and disillusioned by the outcome of the election. She accused Bhushan’s associate, Sanjay Singh, of being involved in a “culture of violation” and demanded justice for the victims.
“I have fought with complete strength but this fight will continue. The wrestlers of the new generation have to fight,” Malik said in a video message posted on her social media accounts.
Malik’s decision comes after months of agitation by hundreds of female wrestlers who staged sit-ins at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and marched to various government offices to protest against Bhushan and his alleged misconduct. The protesters also demanded an independent inquiry into the allegations, which include groping, touching breasts and navels without consent, stalking, intimidation, and demanding “sexual favours” in exchange for professional help.
Bhushan has denied all allegations in front of a government-appointed committee that submitted its report on 5 April 2023 but not made it public. The protesters resumed their protest on 23 April 2023, citing inaction by authorities and bias by the committee to favor the accused. They also alleged that Delhi Police had refused to register FIRs against Bhushan despite Supreme Court’s intervention.
Bhushan belongs to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which leads the Central government and hence oversees the Delhi Police. Many organizations and opposition parties have accused the government of trying to protect Bhushan, a member of the ruling party. The protesting wrestlers have also accused the government of building pressure on them to withdraw their cases against Bhushan.
Malik is one of India’s most successful wrestlers who has won several medals at national and international level. She won a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. She is also part of JSW Sports Excellence Program along with fellow female wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Babita Kumari and Geeta Phogat.
