'Girls will be harassed again': Sakshi Malik retires as Brij Bhushan associate wins WFI polls

Sanjay Singh elections: Vinesh Phogat said women wrestlers will now face exploitation.

Updated on: Dec 22, 2023, 08:32:56 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

New Delhi: Olympic medal winner Sakshi Malik has announced her retirement from wrestling in the wake of the election of BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's alleged loyalist Sanjay Singh as the Wrestling Federation of India's president. International wrestler Sangeeta Phogat said women wrestlers “will be harassed again”.

Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik address a press conference after Sanjay Singh, an associate of BJP MP and former chief of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, became the new President of WFI. (PTI)

"We gathered a lot of courage for this fight against the WFI President (Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh). But today, his right hand (referring to Sanjay Singh) has been elected as the new WFI President. We had demanded a woman be made the president, but that has not been fulfilled," said Malik.

Sangeeta Phogat said the wrestlers didn't get justice.

"It's unfortunate that such people are getting elected to such positions in the country. Now, girls will be harassed again. It's sad that even after fighting against it, we couldn't bring any changes. I don't know how to get justice in our own country," she added.

Meanwhile, Vinesh Phogat said women wrestlers will now face exploitation.

Referring to the wrestlers' massive protest against the BJP MP over alleged sexual harassment by the BJP MP, wrestler Bajrang Punia said the government didn't fulfil its promise.

"We were fighting for truth and women, else we were also active athletes and winning medals for the country. I don't think the daughters will get justice because the way this system has worked, efforts are being made to break the daughters. Still, we have faith in the judiciary," he said.

Sanjay Singh on Thursday became the new President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Singh secured 40 votes against 7 won by his rival Anita Sheoran.

Sanjay Singh is a close associate of Bhushan, PTI reported.

"It's a triumph for thousands of wrestlers in the country who suffered in the past 7-8 months," Sanjay Singh told reporters after his huge win.

"We will respond to politics with politics and wrestling with wrestling," he added.

The wrestlers had accused Bhushan of harassing wrestlers. On May 28, their weeks-long protest ended abruptly after the Delhi police removed them from Jantar Mantar.

With inputs from PTI

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.