After resuming their duties in the Indian Railways, Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia on Friday firmly asserted that none of the wrestlers involved in the protest have relented, stating that they will continue their pursuit of justice. They dismissed rumours of their withdrawal from the protest as deliberate attempts to undermine the movement.
Officials of the Northern Railways have confirmed that Sakshi Malik has returned to her duties along with Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat.
Punia clarified that the news of their withdrawal was merely a “rumour” and refuted claims that the women wrestlers had retracted their First Information Report (FIR) against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) outgoing chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Together with fellow Olympian and World Championship medalist Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang and Sakshi have been actively protesting against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexually harassing seven wrestlers, including a minor girl. Singh has denied all allegations.
Regarding their meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday, Malik informed reporters that it was a “routine discussion” and no definitive resolution had been reached. She emphasised that their stance remained unchanged, calling for the arrest of the accused. Vinesh, Bajrang, and Sakshi affirmed their solidarity in this fight, declaring that they would stay united until “justice is served.”
Addressing reports suggesting that she and Punia had withdrawn from the protest after resuming their duties in the Railways, Malik denounced the news as “completely false.” Phogat had also resumed her responsibilities in the Railways.
“In our quest for justice, none of us has retreated, nor will we. Alongside our peaceful protest, I am fulfilling my duties in the Railways. Our struggle persists until justice prevails. Please refrain from spreading misinformation,” Malik tweeted.
Punia also denounced the news, asserting, “These false reports aim to harm us. We have not retreated or withdrawn from the movement. The claim that women wrestlers have withdrawn the FIR is also baseless. Our fight will continue until justice is served.”
Responding to questions about her involvement in the protest following her return to Railways duties, Malik clarified, “Let me make it clear that we are strategising our future course of action. We are working on how to further the protest without resorting to violence.”
“As an Officer on Special Duty (OSD), I have various responsibilities. While we devise our strategy and temporarily pause the protest, I will fulfill my official duties. I have been attending to my responsibilities in the Railways for the past few days,” she added.
Refuting reports that the minor girl had withdrawn her FIR, Malik stated, “These fabrications are intended to undermine our non-violent protest and isolate us from the public. This is false. We have not wavered in our fight, nor will we. Our struggle will continue until justice is achieved.”
Punia expressed in a Hindi tweet, “Those who once belittled our medals, claiming they were worth only Rs 15, are now after our jobs. Our lives are at stake, and a job is insignificant compared to that. If our jobs become obstacles to justice, we won’t hesitate for even a moment to quit. Don’t try to intimidate us with employment.”
Vinesh Phogat, a two-time Olympian, echoed the same sentiments in her Hindi tweet. She also questioned whether those spreading false information understand the anguish endured by women wrestlers.
“The feeble media trembles before the whip of a thug, not a female wrestler,” she tweeted, citing a couplet from poet Abid Adeeb’s poem to emphasize their determination to persevere despite challenges.
During the march on May 28, several wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar were detained, and the distressing visuals of some being forcibly dragged and pinned to the ground by the Delhi police sparked nationwide outrage and drew strong reactions from political parties.