2024-04-22 22:08:36
New Delhi: Olympic medalist Indian wrestler Sakshi Malik has been included among the 100 most influential people of 2024 by ‘Time’ magazine. Sakshi, India’s only female Olympic medalist in wrestling, has been included in the list by former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for her fight against alleged sexual harassment of female wrestlers. Other Indians in the list include actress Alia Bhatt, Indo-British actor Dev Patel and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
Sakshi, along with two-time World Championship bronze medalist Vinesh Phogat and Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Bajrang Punia, had led the protest at Jantar Mantar here against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has accused the country’s women wrestlers of intimidation and alleged harassment. Demanded his arrest for allegedly committing sexual harassment. The protests began in January last year. After this the fight against Singh continued for a year. A charge sheet was filed against Singh, but he has been denying the allegations.
Sakshi Malik said about that movement, ‘This fight is no longer just for India’s women wrestlers. This is for the daughters of India whose voices have been suppressed again and again. Shortly after Singh left office, his close aide and business partner Sanjay Singh was elected WFI President. The day Sanjay Singh took charge of WFI, Sakshi decided to retire from wrestling.