Bajrang Punia Denies Rumors of Withdrawing from Protest, Smells Conspiracy

New Delhi: Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia has reaffirmed his commitment to fighting for justice and dismissed rumours of withdrawing from the wrestlers’ protest. Punia emphasized that none of the wrestlers, including himself, have backed down and they will continue their struggle until justice is served.

आंदोलन वापस लेने की खबरें कोरी अफ़वाह हैं. ये खबरें हमें नुक़सान पहुँचाने के लिए फैलाई जा रही हैं.

हम न पीछे हटे हैं और न ही हमने आंदोलन वापस लिया है. महिला पहलवानों की एफ़आईआर उठाने की खबर भी झूठी है.

इंसाफ़ मिलने तक लड़ाई जारी रहेगी 🙏🏼 #WrestlerProtest pic.twitter.com/utShj583VZ

— Bajrang Punia 🇮🇳 (@BajrangPunia) June 5, 2023

Similarly, wrestler Sakshi Malik clarified that she has not retreated from the protest and refuted false reports suggesting that women wrestlers have withdrawn their FIR (First Information Report). Malik emphasized the need to refrain from spreading misinformation.

Furthermore, Malik mentioned a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, describing it as a normal conversation. She reiterated the wrestlers’ sole demand, which is the arrest of Brij Bhushan Singh, the outgoing chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), who is facing allegations of sexual harassment from seven wrestlers, including a minor. Malik emphasized that their protest will persist until justice is achieved, while also stating that she has resumed her role as an Office on Special Duty (OSD) in Railways.

ये खबर बिलकुल ग़लत है। इंसाफ़ की लड़ाई में ना हम में से कोई पीछे हटा है, ना हटेगा। सत्याग्रह के साथ साथ रेलवे में अपनी ज़िम्मेदारी को साथ निभा रही हूँ। इंसाफ़ मिलने तक हमारी लड़ाई जारी है। कृपया कोई ग़लत खबर ना चलाई जाए। pic.twitter.com/FWYhnqlinC

— Sakshee Malikkh (@SakshiMalik) June 5, 2023

Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat, fellow Olympians and World Championship medalists, have been protesting against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, demanding his arrest in light of the sexual harassment allegations brought forth by seven wrestlers, including a minor. It is important to note that all three athletes have returned to work as Office on Special Duty (Northern Railways) since the previous week.