“Sexual Harassment Is Flashing Victory”: Internet Reacts To Olympic Gold Medallist Sakshi Malik Quitting Wrestling

This is a sad day for sports!

By Sakshi Singh Updated December 22, 2023 12:29 PM

“Sexual Harassment Is Flashing Victory”: Internet Reacts To Olympic Gold Medallist Sakshi Malik Quitting Wrestling

In a sad turn of events, Rio Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik has announced her retirement from wrestling. The decision came as a protest against Sanjay Singh’s victory in the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) election for the top position, replacing the outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The new WFI president, Sanjay Singh, who is closely associated with Brij Bhushan, secured his win with his panel clinching 13 out of 15 posts in the recent elections held in New Delhi.

Breaking now | #SakshiMalik quits #wrestling after Brij Bhushan loyalist Sanjay Singh becomes WFI chiefhttps://t.co/Ze7N0xASIo

— The Hindu (@the_hindu) December 21, 2023

Also Read: “This News Is Wrong,” Sakshi Malik Issues Clarification On Withdrawal From Wrestlers Protest After Meeting Amit Shah

Expressing her disappointment, Sakshi Malik, with tears in her eyes, stated, “We fought from our heart, but if a man like Brij Bhushan, his business partner, and a close associate is elected as the president of WFI, I quit wrestling.” In a symbolic gesture of her decision, she placed her wrestling shoes on the table during her dramatic announcement. The 31-year-old CWG gold medallist also voiced her desire for a female president for WFI, expressing her dismay that her wish remained unfulfilled.

Sakshi Malik, an Olympic champion, quits wrestling. The victory of sexual predators is being celebrated by the rightwing.

Psephologists say that a large population of women voters in India vote BJP.

Okay.

— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) December 21, 2023

The news of Sakshi Malik’s retirement sent shockwaves across social media platforms. On X (formerly Twitter), a user lamented the treatment meted out to champions like Sakshi Malik and Phogat Vinesh, expressing, “As an Indian, I am ashamed at the treatment our #Champions received. They did not quit willingly but because of the #injustice.”

@SakshiMalik @Phogat_Vinesh As an Indian I am ashamed at the treatment our #Champions received. They did not quit willingly but coz of the #injustice. When @AmitShah ji promised action I had my hopes high but seems we failed them again. My heart goes out to our champions.

— Neha Narang (@nehanarang786) December 22, 2023

Shameful Day for India.#Olympic Champion Sakshi Malik leaves her shoes & quits wrestling after BJP MP #BrijbhushanSingh who sexually abused Women Wrestlers takes control of Wrestling Federation of India.

And shame on the Media, hounding her while she leaves the venue in tears. pic.twitter.com/LotbfIdhHl

— Dr Ranjan (@AAPforNewIndia) December 21, 2023

Woh BJP ki "Durga vaahini" waali brigade kahan hai ??

Kya #SakshiMalik key aansun dikhte nahi kya in paakhandiyon ko ???#bjplies #bjpfails #banevm

— JATIN (@Now_Abhi82) December 22, 2023

Another user echoed the sentiment, highlighting the alleged assault faced by Sakshi Malik and the lack of action against the perpetrator, commenting, “She was assaulted, and no one did anything against that man, yet he was elected again. I feel sorry for your family where a coward like you is born.”

She was assaulted and no one did anything against that man and was elected again. I feel sorry for your family where a coward like you is born who cannot even get an ounce of courage to speak against that sexual predator

— S S (@SS60043261) December 22, 2023

Boxer Vijendar Singh also weighed in on the matter, emphasizing the challenges faced by Sakshi Malik and the absence of government support, remarking, “She was forced to retire after suffering a lot of pain and no help from the government.”

Sakshi Malik was forced to retire after suffering a lot of pain, no justice from the govt: Vijender Singh

Edited video is available on PTI Videos (https://t.co/L2D7HH3xZ2) #PTINewsAlerts #PTIVideos @PTI_News pic.twitter.com/omTljs9sWV

— PTI News Alerts (@PTI_NewsAlerts) December 22, 2023

Also Read: Vinesh Phogat Asks Ratan Tata To Probe WFI Donation, Sakshi Malik Asks Brij Bhushan To Take Lie Detector Test

The outcry on social media continued, with users expressing their anguish and disappointment over the situation. One user commented, Injustice has happened and is happening to the daughters of the country! And the people in power are silent!! While another lamented the loss to Indian sports, stating, “A champion quits, a nation grieves.”

https://twitter.com/soyab_05/status/1738072286052208829?s=20

‘Still fighting, harassment will continue’: Vinesh Phogat weeps as Brij Bhushan aide becomes WFI chief#WFIElections #wfipresidentsanjaysingh #sakshi_malik #VineshPhogat #WrestlersProtest https://t.co/qnd1BrYbl5

— Financial Express (@FinancialXpress) December 22, 2023

A champion quits, a nation grieves#wrestling #SakshiMalik #sakshi_malik pic.twitter.com/WhrarB0rAu

— Hyder Ali (@hyderinc) December 22, 2023

Indian wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik protested at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. They accused WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh Sharan of sexual exploitation and intimidation, calling for his resignation. On the same day, Brij Bhushan refuted all allegations.