Rio Olympic bronze medallist Sakshee Malikkh stressed once again that the wrestlers fought for justice and not against the government, responding to the Sports Ministry’s decision to suspend the newly-elected Wrestling Federation of India body. Sakshee Malikkh highlighted her decision to retire but wants the next generation of wrestlers to get justice and have a conducive environment to practice the sport.

The Sports Ministry on Sunday, December 24 suspended the Wrestling Federation of India’s newly-elected body, saying it was “in complete control” of ex-office bearers. In a strongly-worded notice, the Ministry said decisions made by the newly-elected WFI body were “in blatant disregard” for “established legal and procedural norms”. It also noted that Sanjay Singh, a close aide of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, took a “hasty” call when it came to announcing U15 and U20 nationals in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh before the end of the year.

Sanjay Singh’s election as the Wrestling Federation of India president created a stir with Sakshee Malikkh retiring in protest in New Delhi. Sakshee adddressed tjhe press in New Delhi on Thursday and was unable to control her emotions as she left her shoe on the table, hinting brought down the curtains on her decorated career.

Bajrang Punia returned his Padma Shri Award, leaving it on the pavement of Kartavya Path in protest against Sanjay Singh’s election. Both the wrestlers argued that Sanjay is a close aide of Brij Bhushan and that wrestlers who voice their views against the WFI will be threatened.

Notably, Sakshee and Bajrang were the faces of the protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was accused of sexually harassing female wrestlers.

“I have not seen anything in writing yet. I don’t know whether only Sanjay Singh has been suspended or the entire body has been suspended…Our fight was not with the government. Our fight is for women wrestlers, I have announced my retirement but want that the upcoming wrestlers should get justice,” Sakshee told the media.

‘OUR FIGHT AGAINST ONE MAN’

Notably, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Sunday said he had cut ties with wrestling administration and that the suspension of WFI had nothing to do with him.

Sakshee refrained from commenting on Brij Bhushan’s statement, adding that all that she wants is the female wrestlers to get justice.

“That’s his (Brij Bhushan’s) agenda, that’s his politics. Our fight was against one man, our fight was the female wrestlers. We are fighting in our own style, but I want the wrestlers to get justice,” she added.

The Indain Olympic Association, according to sources, is all set to appoint a new ad-hoc committee to oversee daily affairs of the WFI. Sources also told India Today that Sanjay Singh camp might take the legal route against the suspension of the WFI body.