In an inaugural proclamation, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia enthusiastically acclaimed a pronouncement by a Delhi tribunal to formalize allegations of sexual misconduct against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) head Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, heralding it as a significant ‘triumph for the nation’s female grapplers’. The tribunal is scheduled to officially delineate the charges on May 21.
The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi, on May 10, mandated the framing of accusations related to sexual harassment and other offenses against Singh, a recurrent Lok Sabha parliamentarian, under sections 354 (assault or criminal coercion of a woman with intent to affront her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.
Punia, in response to this development, extended gratitude to the esteemed tribunal for its ruling. “The daughters of the realm have weathered such arduous circumstances, yet this ruling shall proffer solace. Those who subjected women wrestlers to ridicule ought to feel abashed. Truth alone triumphs,” Punia articulated on X (previously recognized as Twitter).
Reaffirming his confidence in the judiciary, Punia remarked: This marks a significant juncture in our 18-month Ordeal, which commenced in January 2023 on the thoroughfares, then committees, back to the Thoroughfares and ultimately within the tribunal, against the chief perpetrator of sexual offenses against women wrestlers and the propagation of chauvinism entrenched within this Federation.
Olympic bronze medalist Malik from Rio retired subsequent to a faction led by former WFI President Sanjay Singh assuming the helm of the federation in December 2023. She conveyed her support for the ruling via X, expressing, “We express gratitude towards the honorable tribunal. We endured numerous nights amidst the elements on the thoroughfares, relinquished our stable vocations, solely to inch closer in the pursuit of justice,” Malik articulated on X.
“Profuse appreciation to those who bestowed affection and benedictions, and may Providence bless those who disparaged and spewed vitriol. Long live Mother India. We endured numerous nights amidst the elements on the thoroughfares, relinquished our stable vocations, solely to inch closer in the pursuit of justice,” Malik appended in her statement.
Punia also censured former Indian Wrestler and Olympic medalist Yogeshwar Dutt and Babita Phogat, Commonwealth Games champion wrestler and BJP affiliate, accusing them of besmirching the triumvirate of Sakshi, Bajrang, and Vinesh Phogat, who were the preeminent figures during the protracted demonstration which commenced in January 2023 at Jantar Mantar in the national capital.