Big win for women wrestlers' struggle, say Bajrang, Sakshee

NEW DELHI: Two of the leading faces of protests against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Olympic medallist wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshee Malikkh, on Friday welcomed a Delhi court's decision to frame charges against BJP MP and former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, who was accused of sexually harassing six female grapplers.
The Court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Priyanka Rajpoot ordered the framing of charges against Singh under relevant sections of outraging the modesty of a woman, sexual harassment and criminal intimidation against five of the victims.
"Charges have been framed against Brij Bhushan. Thanks to the honourable court. This is a big victory for the struggles of women wrestlers. The daughters of the country have had to go through a tough time, but this decision will give them relief. Those who trolled the protesting women wrestlers should be ashamed of themselves. Satyameva Jayate," Bajrang, Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist, wrote on his X account.
Sakshee, who had announced her retirement in December last issued a press release on behalf of the women wrestlers who waged a battle for justice against the ex-WFI chief.
"This is a big milestone in our 18 months of struggle which started in January 2023 on the streets, then committees, back on the streets and finally in the courts against the main perpetrator of sexual crimes against women wrestlers and the promotion of misogyny that has existed in this federation. We have full faith in the judiciary and look forward to a fair trial and justice being meted out to us," Sakshee posted on her X account.
Brij Bhushan, too, reacted to the court's order and stated that he will exercise his legal options. "Today, the court has framed charges, the chargesheet was filed before, which I had protested (against) but the court did not accept it. Now, they have framed charges in all cases, except one. I welcome the court's decision and now the options are open for me," said the outgoing BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh's Kaiserganj constituency.
Bajrang and Sakshee, along with two-time World Championships medallist Vinesh Phogat, had protested for months on the Delhi streets demanding action against Brij Bhushan.