Sakshi Malik, one of India’s celebrated wrestlers, has stirred up controversy with the release of her autobiography, Witness, where she opens up about her journey, the struggles in her wrestling career, and her take on the recent issues in the wrestling world. Particularly, her comments on fellow wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, and their exemption from trials for the 2023 Asian Games, have grabbed headlines, causing a public rift among the wrestling champions.
Exemption from Trials: A Key Point of Dispute
Sakshi Malik reveals in her book that she was disheartened by the decision to exempt Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia from the trials for the Asian Games. She believes that this decision not only created internal discord but also tainted the larger protest movement against sexual harassment in Indian wrestling, a cause they had all rallied behind earlier. According to Sakshi, this trial exemption made their fight appear selfish in the eyes of their supporters.
Malik claims that the influence of individuals close to Vinesh and Bajrang filled their minds with greed, ultimately creating cracks in the unity they once shared. She refrained from naming anyone specifically but suggested that external forces had a role in the two wrestlers’ decisions.
Vinesh Phogat’s Response: “Three Sides to Every Story”
In response to the revelations in Sakshi’s autobiography, Vinesh Phogat took to social media with a cryptic post, seemingly addressing the claims made by Sakshi. Vinesh wrote, “Don’t believe everything you hear. There are always three sides to a story: yours, theirs, and the truth.” Though she didn’t directly mention Sakshi, it’s widely interpreted as her reaction to the autobiography.
This post has added fuel to the speculation that not everything was as harmonious as it seemed during their protests, which were aimed at highlighting sexual harassment within the wrestling federation.
Childhood Struggles and Early Wrestling Days
Apart from the dispute, Sakshi Malik’s autobiography also delves deep into her early life, including a troubling account of sexual harassment by her tuition teacher during her childhood. She shares how, as a young girl, she was molested by the teacher but was too scared to confide in her family, believing the incident was her fault.
Her harrowing childhood experiences shaped her determination to stand up against sexual harassment, a fight that later became a public movement when she, along with Vinesh and Bajrang, led protests against Brij Bhushan Singh, the former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, accusing him of harassing female wrestlers.
Wrestling Above All: The Passion for the Sport
In Witness, Sakshi writes extensively about how wrestling became the focal point of her life. She narrates how her love for the sport grew as she began competing at international levels, with her ultimate dream being to win an Olympic medal for India. The autobiography paints a picture of a young athlete whose singular focus was wrestling, with no other distractions.
Her journey to success, however, wasn’t without obstacles. She reflects on how the national anthem playing on foreign soil after her victories gave her a sense of pride that made all the sacrifices and struggles worthwhile.
Refusing Trial Exemption: Standing Apart
One of the more revealing parts of Sakshi Malik’s book centers on her decision not to accept an exemption from the 2023 Asian Games trials, despite the suggestion of her colleagues. Unlike Vinesh and Bajrang, Sakshi chose to go through the trials, believing that everyone should be subject to the same rules.
She writes about how the decision to exempt her fellow wrestlers from the trials hurt the credibility of their protest movement. Sakshi felt that the exemption led many supporters to view the protest as self-serving, rather than a united fight for justice. This, she says, damaged the integrity of their cause and created a divide among the wrestlers.
Fractured Protests: Impact on the Movement
Sakshi Malik’s autobiography sheds light on the internal struggles that began to emerge during their movement against Brij Bhushan Singh. She states that, over time, selfish motives began to overshadow the original purpose of their protests. In her view, the influence of people close to Vinesh and Bajrang led them to prioritize their personal gain over the larger cause, which ultimately harmed their protest’s image.
Malik also expresses disappointment with how the exemption from the trials affected the public’s perception of their movement. According to her, this decision made it appear as though the protest was no longer about seeking justice for female wrestlers but had become a way to secure personal advantages for a few individuals.
Fight for Justice: A Risky Battle
Despite the setbacks and personal sacrifices, Sakshi remains committed to her fight for justice. In Witness, she explains how her involvement in the protest against Brij Bhushan Singh came with the risk of ending her career or losing her job. However, Sakshi stood firm in her belief that the fight was necessary for the future of women in Indian sports.
She recalls how the protest came together, with fellow wrestlers like Bajrang Punia and Babita Phogat encouraging her to join the movement. According to Sakshi, their shared goal was to ensure that no future generation of female wrestlers would have to face the same harassment and exploitation they endured.
