'Tradition of disrespect towards women will continue': Sakshi, Vinesh on WFI regaining control of wrestling

Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat, who were the biggest faces of the wrestlers' protest against Wrestling Federation of India, have denounced the Indian Olympic Association's decision to dissolve the ad-hoc committee for wrestling and hand over the control to WFI. IOA on Monday dissolved the ad-hoc committee which was established in December last year to run the affairs of wrestling in India after the Sport Ministry suspended the WFI following Sanjay Singh sweeping the polls.

Sanjay Singh is a close aide of BJP MP and former WFI head Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh who has been accused of sexual harassment by Sakshi, Phogat and other female wrestlers. While suspending the WFI, Sports Ministry had said that the newly elected WFI was found guilty of "blatantly disregarding the procedural norms" and "appearing to be in complete control of former office-bearers".

More from Sports

In that regards, IOA's decision to hand control back to Sanjay Singh-led WFI came as a big surprise and shock for wrestlers who had protested against WFI and Brij Bhushan.

Sakshi took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her disappointment and added that IOA's decision has proved that the "tradition of disrespect towards women will continue in this new India".

"History bears witness that powerful individuals in this land have been playing with the dignity of women for centuries. In the 21st century, we have shown courage, united our voices against injustice, and struggled with all our might so that the corrupt people associated with the Indian Wrestling Federation can be removed, and female wrestlers can feel safe," she wrote on X.

"But entrenched corruption is so powerful that it transcends government, constitution, and judiciary. After the government suspended the Wrestling Federation, Brij Bhushan and Sanjay Singh continued to assert that this suspension is just a show, that we will be reinstated in a few days, and our Wrestling Federation will always remain in control. This proved true, and the official letter from the Indian Olympic Association stamped this, proving that congratulations are in order as this tradition of disrespect towards women will continue in this new India for centuries.

"Victory to Mother India, victory to Mother Cow, and victory to every mother in this country!"

Phogat quote tweeted Sakshi's post and went on to add that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a "spin master" and demanded action against WFI.

"The Prime Minister is a spin master, knows how to spin the issue by invoking “women power” to counter the speeches of his rivals," she wrote. "Narendra Modi ji, get to know the real truth of women power. Brij Bhushan, who exploited women wrestlers, has again taken over wrestling.

Hope you will not just use women as shields, but will also do something to oust such oppressors from the sports institutions of the country."