Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik has dropped a bombshell in her new memoir, ‘Witness’, detailing a horrifying experience of sexual harassment at the hands of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The incident, which occurred in Almaty, Kazakhstan, during the Asian Junior Championships, has left a lasting impact on the wrestler and casts a dark shadow over the Indian sporting landscape.
In her book, Sakshi recounts the harrowing experience, revealing how Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, after congratulating her on a victory, invited her to his room under the pretext of making a phone call to her parents. A sense of foreboding crept in as Sakshi contemplated possible scenarios, preparing herself for the worst. Her worst fears were realized when, after speaking to her parents, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh made an advance on her while she was seated on his bed.
Sakshi, resolute in her rejection, pushed him away and cried out in distress. The incident left her feeling violated and fearful for her career, as she was convinced that refusing his advances could jeopardize her wrestling future. Although she only confided in a few trusted individuals, including her training camp roommate Anita Sheoran and her mother, the news of the incident spread throughout the wrestling community.
The revelation of Sakshi Malik’s experience has sent shockwaves through the Indian sporting community, raising critical questions about the safety of athletes and the culture of silence that often surrounds such incidents. It is a stark reminder of the power dynamics that can exist within sports and the need for robust mechanisms to protect athletes from abuse and harassment.
This disturbing incident, revealed in Sakshi Malik’s memoir, has opened a Pandora’s Box and ignited a fierce debate about accountability and change within the Indian sporting system. It is now imperative that authorities investigate this matter thoroughly and take decisive action to ensure the safety and well-being of all athletes.