Days after Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh, Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik released a video statement saying that their fight is not against the government, but the "misdeeds of the WFI President."
"The reason we were silent for so many days was because we lacked unity. We could never get united. The minor wrestler changed her statement because her family was threatened," she said.
On Thursday, the police filed a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the outgoing WFI chief and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament, under sections 354, 354A, and 354D of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The police further said that they have not found any corroborative evidence so far in connection with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act case against Singh.
The Delhi Police Department also filed a separate report regarding an allegation against Singh by a minor. While the police stated that there was no corroborative evidence, prosecutors sought to suspend the case. If not suspended, the case would have resulted in Singh's automatic arrest under POCSO.
Responding to claims that the protest was politically motivated by Congress, wrestler Satyawart Kadian says, "The permission for our first protest at Jantar Mantar in January was taken by two BJP leaders, Tirath Rana and Babita Phogat. So how could our protest be orchestrated by Congress?”
"90% people related to wrestling, including wrestlers and coaches, knew about the inappropriate behaviour women (wrestlers) were being subjected to for the last 10-12 years. Whenever anyone tried to raise their voice, word would reach the WFI President, and they started facing difficulties in their career,” further said.
The protesting wrestlers are expected to meet farmer leaders Rakesh and Naresh Tikait on Saturday during the Bharat Kisan Union (BKU) meet in Haridwar to discuss their future strategy.
A final call on the future of wrestlers' agitation is likely to be taken on Sunday when the wrestlers meet Khap and other farmer leaders.
