"Challenge WFI president Brij Bhushan to take narco test": Sakshi Malik on alleged sexual harassment
May 10, 2023
New Delhi [India], May 10 : Rio Olympic bronze medallist wrestler Sakshi Malik on Wednesday asked Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to undergo a lie detector narco test if he is confident of his integrity after he was levelled of sexual harassment by seven wrestlers.
The protesting wrestlers have also stated that they will oppose the hosting of events if Singh is a part of their organisation.
"I challenge the WFI president to take a Narco Test. We are also willing to take the test. Let the truth come out in the open, who is the culprit and who is not," Malik said at a press conference at Jantar Mantar.
"I would like to appeal to the Prime Minister that your slogan is Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, you set an example of women empowerment, I would like to appeal to them that your daughter is sitting on the road, save her, injustice is being done to her," said another Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia.
"We want all competitions to take place under the ad hoc panel of IOA. If the WFI chief is involved in any way, we will oppose it," he added.
On April 23 this year the ace grapplers- Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshee Mallik- returned to the protest site at Jantar Mantar, claiming that six women wrestlers, and a minor, filed a sexual harassment complaint against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at Connaught Place Police Station but Delhi Police did not register an FIR.
The protesting grapplers also demanded that the Sports Ministry make public the findings of an Oversight Committee.
Delhi Police filed two FIRs on April 28 following the notice by the Supreme Court. Earlier this year, prominent wrestlers came forward to lead a protest against the WFI chief, following which the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced the formation of an 'oversight committee' to probe allegations against the WFI, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and some coaches.
