Interview: Wrestler Sakshi Malik said- This time we are sitting to fight the battle of R or Paar

Indian wrestlers have once again started protesting at Jantar Mantar. The allegations are old. They want to remove Federation President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. When their dharna started in January, the government ended the dharna by forming an inquiry committee and giving assurance of justice. The demands of the wrestlers were not met in the time given, so these people are again sitting on the dharna. It has been announced that until justice is not delivered, we will not get up from the dharna, nor will we join any camp, nor will we participate in any competition. Journalist Dr. Ramesh Thakur had a conversation with female wrestler Sakshi Malik on this issue.

Question: Are you not satisfied with the inquiry committee formed by the government in January?

Answer- We were cheated then. No inquiry committee was formed. Only our strike was ended in which he was successful. There was only supply of food in the name of investigation, it was just a conspiracy to hush up the issue. But, our present strike is for fighting for the rights of sports and players. The filth prevailing in the Federation has to be cleaned. Regarding Federation President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, we have given enough evidence to the inquiry committee, but they too did not dare to lay hands on him.

Question: Do you think your voice will be heard this time?

Answer- Should be heard, we are sitting with this hope. We had hoped that the Prime Minister himself or one of his responsible ministers would meet us. But, no one has come for three-four days, neither any minister nor any officer? But this time our protest will be from across the country. May be the government is testing our patience. Now we are determined, we will pass through every difficult test, but we will not move from here until justice is done to us.

Q: Broadly what are your allegations?

Answer- Look, there are very serious allegations against the Federation President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and a coach. In January too, we told the media that coaches sexually harass women wrestlers in national camps. Then Vinesh Phogat had also told that Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh used to stay in the hotel of the players, which is completely against the rules. After the defeat in the Tokyo Olympics, Vinesh was even called a fake coin. Apart from this, there are not many similar allegations.

Question: Now you have approached the Supreme Court against the registration of a case against the Federation President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Answer- Yes. When our complaint was not taken cognizance at the local police station, we had to approach the court. Rahul Gandhi mentioned a victim woman during his Bharat Jodo Yatra, in which the woman said that if something wrong happens to her, the police reaches Rahul Gandhi’s house. But we are crying out and saying that if something wrong happened to us then why doesn’t the police come to us.

-Doctor. Ramesh Thakur