Fake news: Sakshee Malikkh dismisses reports of ending wrestlers' protest
What's the story
Star Indian wrestler Sakshee Malikkh, who has been protesting with other fellow grapplers for the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations, said that they would continue with their agitation until their demands are met. Furthermore, the 30-year-old ace wrestler asserted that their "fight" will continue "till justice is served."
Context
Why does this story matter?
Malikkh's responses came just hours after reports claimed that the wrestlers' month-long protest in Delhi had been called off. Notably, the rumors came right after top Indian wrestlers resumed their duties in the Railways. The Delhi Police registered two FIRs against the WFI president based on sexual harassment allegations a month ago, but he is yet to be apprehended.
Details
Please don't spread any wrong news: Malikkh
Amid reports of wrestlers ending their agitation against Singh, Malikkh took to Twitter and wrote in Hindi, "This news is completely wrong. In the fight for justice, none of us has backed down, nor will we." "Along with Satyagraha (peaceful), I am fulfilling my responsibility in Railways. Our fight continues till justice is served. Please don't spread any wrong news," the star wrestler added.
Twitter Post
Twitter post by Malikkh
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
More details
It's fake news, says Malikkh's husband and wrestler Satyawart Kadian
Malikkh's husband and wrestler, Satyawart Kadian also refuted the reports as "fake news" and said that their agitation against Singh will continue, and they are not stepping back. During his interview with the news agency ANI, Kadian stated, "It's fake news; we have not stepped back from protest. Our protest will continue."
Twitter Post
Here's what Kadian told ANI
#WATCH | "It's fake news, we have not stepped back from protest. Our protest will continue," says Satyawart Kadian, Wrestler and husband of Sakshee Malikkh pic.twitter.com/Yn6jMa0cFi
— ANI (@ANI) June 5, 2023
Know more
Top wrestlers resuming work and their meeting with Amit Shah
For context, top wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Malikkh resumed their duties in the Railways on May 31, just days after the police evicted the protesting grapplers from Delhi's Jantar Mantar, where they had been protesting since April. Furthermore, protesting wrestlers also reportedly met senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday at his residence.
Further information
Details on wrestlers' long meeting with Shah on Saturday
As per sources in the know, the grapplers met Shah and highlighted their concerns related to the ongoing issue involving the president of the WFI. "They shared their concern with the home minister. The meeting was long, and he listened to everything. But koi decision nhi hua abhi tak (no decision has been reached so far)," the source told the news agency IANS.