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The Indian wrestling community is currently engulfed in a bitter feud, with former wrestler and Congress MLA Vinesh Phogat directly refuting claims made by fellow wrestler Sakshi Malik in her recently published book, 'Witness'. The dispute stems from the wrestlers' collective protest against the former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accused of sexual harassment. While Vinesh, Sakshi, and Bajrang Punia spearheaded the protest, their unity has seemingly fractured, with Sakshi alleging that 'greed' infiltrated their movement.
In her book, Sakshi claims that Vinesh and Bajrang's decision to accept exemption from the Asian Games trials last year negatively impacted the image of their protest, making it appear 'selfish'. She further asserts that the protest developed cracks when individuals close to Bajrang and Vinesh began to instill 'greed' in their minds. This accusation has been met with strong denial from Vinesh, who questions the very basis of Sakshi's assertion, demanding to know what she means by 'greed'. She maintains that her actions are driven by a desire to speak for the 'sisters' in the wrestling community and to represent India on the international stage, securing Olympic medals. Notably, both Vinesh and Bajrang have since joined the Congress party, with Vinesh even securing a victory in the recent Haryana assembly elections.
The controversy surrounding the wrestlers' protest has brought to light the complexities of navigating power dynamics, personal ambition, and the pursuit of justice within a sport that has been plagued by allegations of abuse and misconduct. While the case against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is still ongoing in a Delhi court, the internal disagreements among the wrestlers, particularly between Vinesh and Sakshi, have cast a shadow over their fight for reform. The incident raises critical questions about the role of politics, personal agendas, and the potential for conflict within a collective movement seeking change. Despite the tension, Vinesh remains resolute, emphasizing that the fight for justice cannot be weakened, and the wrestlers are prepared to continue their battle, highlighting the ongoing struggle for accountability and change in the sport.
Source: That's her personal opinion: Vinesh Phogat on Sakshi Malik's 'greed' claims