“I Have Been Completely Sidelined From The Sports I Devoted My Life To”- Sakshi Malik

Olympic champion Sakshi Malik revealed that she has been “completely sidelined from the wrestling world” after she protested against sexual harassment by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former president of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

Malik was speaking at an online conference by Sport & Rights Alliance, which is guided by athletes who have experienced abuse, in the Athletes Network for Safer Sports.

The organisation released a report titled “We Were Only Demanding Justice: Sexual Abuse in Indian Wrestling Federation”, which details the pattern of harassment and abuse by Brij Bhushan, who was also a Member of Parliament with the BJP at the time of the abuse.

Replying to a question by The Citizen on whether she has seen any changes in the wrestling fraternity since she outed the abuse, Malik said she is not in touch with anyone as she has been sidelined and isolated.

“I am not in touch so I am not sure about the changes. I am not called for nationals, and tournaments because the federation is now run by Brij Bhushan’s man Sanjay Singh, who is also his business partner. Whoever had protested they have been completely sidelined now,” Malik said.

Recalling her experience of harassment by Bhushan, Malik said that it was when she started seeing a pattern of abuse with younger girls, that she decided to step out and call out the abuser.

“We cannot see whether things have changed or not. The girls are also scared now because the federation as I mentioned is being run by his man only.

“Now, no one is coming forward. The girls would have come forward at a time when the whole power would have been snatched from his hands completely, but that did not happen.

“I am completely sidelined and I feel sad that I have given so much to wrestling and taken a stand for the cause as well, but still no proper action has happened till now,” she added.

Speaking about the environment of fear by the ruling party, Malik said while the case is ongoing in court, a lot of damage has been done already.

In December last year, Malik had said she is quitting wrestling in protest over her federation's new president. Sanjay Singh, who is a close aide of Brij Bhushan was elected the chief WFI the same month after a landslide victory.

Malik while answering to a question by The Citizen said no change can be expected if harassers themselves are part of the federations.

“If the person committing the harassment is also sitting at the higher place who will the girls reach out to. There is no involvement of any woman till now in federations, which is a sad thing really because we again and again think that women can’t do anything,” she said.

Malik added that she would readily step into a leadership role, if given a chance, and bring about change in wrestling.

“I would like to be part of leadership in sports but I have instead been sidelined,” she said.

In its report the Sport & Rights Alliance said International Olympic Committee (IOC) has failed to investigate or provide access to remedy for Indian wrestlers protesting sexual harassment and violence for more than a year.

In January 2023, Vinesh Phogat and fellow Olympians Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia began public protests against Singh’s abuses and the federation’s inaction. Over 30 Indian wrestlers, both men and women, and hundreds of supporters joined the protests, including at a sit-in near the parliament building in India’s capital, New Delhi.

Meanwhile, Dr. Payoshni Mitra, executive director at Humans of Sport and main researcher for the report said that athletes deserve a hotline that prioritises their wellbeing.

“The current IOC reporting channel fails to accommodate best practices for grievance mechanisms – and even sometimes refers the athlete back to their national association, which can contribute to further abuse and retaliation,” she said.

In April 2024, Singh was ordered to face a criminal trial. However, even if he is convicted, India’s top wrestlers will still be far from justice, safe working conditions, and reparations, the Sport & Rights Alliance said.

The report further stated that during their months-long protests demanding protection and Singh’s accountability, the wrestlers were subjected to harassment, threats, arrest, and detention in retaliation for their demands.

“India’s incredible wrestlers have put their careers on the line to end the pattern of impunity and abuse in their sport,” Minky Worden, director of global initiatives at Human Rights Watch said, adding, “If India wants to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Indian authorities should take these reports seriously and implement urgent safeguarding reforms.”

An investigation into Singh’s alleged abuses, ordered in January 2023 by India’s Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, has still not been made public or available to the wrestlers. After months of protests by the athletes demanding that Singh step down, WFI called for presidential elections. On December 21, 2023, Brij Bhushan Singh’s loyalist and aide Sanjay Singh was elected as new WFI chief.

Sanjay Singh celebrated his election at Brij Bhushan Singh’s house with posters that read “We dominate, our domination will continue.” The IOC, WFI, and United World Wrestling were contacted by the Sport & Rights Alliance on July 16, but they have not responded to requests for comment. Brij Bhushan Singh did not respond to a request for comment.

Cover Photograph from the Files