In a new twist to the ongoing controversy within the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik has revealed that BJP leader Babita Phogat encouraged the protests against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh with a hidden agenda. Did – to come to power himself. Malik's claims, which emerged during an interview with India Today TV, paint a complex picture of the motivations behind one of the most significant athlete protests in India's sporting history.
Babita Phogat's alleged influence behind wrestlers' protest
Sakshi Malik, who was at the forefront of the protest, shared that Babita Phogat had initially proposed the idea of standing against Brij Bhushan Singh. According to Malik, Phogat presented herself as an ally, suggesting that her leadership as WFI president would bring much-needed reforms to the organization.
“Babita Phogat approached us with the idea of protesting against Brij Bhushan Singh because she had her own agenda – she wanted to become the WFI president,” Malik said. “We trusted her because we believed that a female leader, especially a woman who had been in our shoes as a player, would understand our struggles.”
Movement born out of allegations of misconduct
The protests initially stemmed from serious allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct made against Brij Bhushan Singh, who has faced sustained scrutiny over the past year. Several female wrestlers courageously came forward with their stories and protested, leading to widespread outrage and calls for his removal.
What began as a call for justice soon turned into a broader movement for structural change within the WFI, and Babita Phogat was a natural leader for such an issue given her prominence in both wrestling and politics. She was looking. Phogat, himself a renowned wrestler from the Phogat family, known for his contribution to Indian wrestling, had earned the trust of many in the sports community.
Betrayal of wrestlers: “A huge game was played with us”
However, Malik now claims that Phogat's involvement was not entirely altruistic. “We thought she would sit with us in the protest and speak out against wrongdoings as a fellow wrestler,” Malik said, adding that Phogat's intentions were not as clear as they initially seemed.
Sakshi Malik emphasized that although Phogat did not completely control the direction of the protests, it was her suggestions that set things in motion. He also clarified that despite rumours, the protests had no direct support from the Congress Party, as some media outlets had speculated. “There are rumors that Congress supported our protests, but these are false. In fact, two BJP leaders helped us get permission to hold protests in Haryana – Babita Phogat and Tirath Rana,” he explained.
Dispute between wrestlers and Brij Bhushan Singh
As the protests gained momentum, the wrestlers' focus turned to the removal of Brij Bhushan Singh from his role as WFI president. The allegations against him grew louder as demands for accountability and security in sports grew. However, Singh dismissed these protests as insignificant and even claimed that the wrestlers standing against him “are finished.” Sakshi Malik vehemently rejected this statement, citing fellow wrestler Vinesh Phogat's recent success at the Olympics as proof that protesting athletes are not “finished.”
Malik said, “Brij Bhushan alleged that wrestlers are finished, but Vinesh Phogat proved him wrong. She went to the Olympics and defeated one of the toughest rivals, who was unbeaten until then.” Power struggle or fight for justice? Malik's revelations have added a new layer of complexity to an already controversial issue. His allegations against Babita Phogat show that the protest was not just motivated by concerns of misconduct, but was also part of a larger political game within the wrestling community. The perception that Phogat used the wrestlers' complaints to further her political aspirations has raised questions about the integrity of the leadership in Indian sports. Athletes like Malik, who initially saw Phogat as a beacon of hope for change, are now frustrated that they are being manipulated.
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