WFI Row | Sakshi and Bajrang dismiss reports of withdrawing from the movement

PTI Photo New Delhi: Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, who have been leading the protest against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Singh for over a month now, have dismissed reports of backing down from the movement, saying that The fight will continue till justice is done. Rio Olympics bronze medalist Sakshi tweeted, “This news is absolutely wrong. In the fight for justice, none of us has backed down and will not. He further wrote, “Along with Satyagraha, I am fulfilling my responsibility in the Railways. Our fight continues till we get justice. Please don’t spread any wrong news.” On the other hand, Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Bajrang tweeted, “The news of withdrawal of the movement is a rumor.” These news are being spread to harm us. He further wrote, “We have neither retreated nor have we withdrawn the movement. The news of withdrawal of FIR of women wrestlers is also false. The fight will continue till justice is served.” It was said in media reports that Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang and Sakshi met Home Minister Amit Shah on the night of June 3 and since then there are reports of their withdrawing from the protest. However, this meeting could not be officially confirmed. Also read Seven women wrestlers, including a minor, were on a dharna at Jantar Mantar since April 23, demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan, who is facing charges of alleged sexual harassment. But on May 28, the wrestlers were taken into custody by the Delhi Police on charges of disturbing law and order, after they tried to march there to organize a Mahila Mahapanchayat on the occasion of the inauguration of the new Parliament building. They were released in the evening but after vacating Jantar Mantar, it was announced that they would not be allowed to protest there again. After this, the wrestlers went to Haridwar to immerse their medals in the Ganges on May 30, but after persuasion by the farmers and Khap leaders, they returned without shedding their medals.(Agency)