India's top wrestlers, who are currently protesting against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) at the Jantar Mantar, have promised to keep their protests going having realised their strength in numbers following two days of protests on Wednesday and Thursday.
Speaking to India Today's Rajdeep Sardesai during an exclusive interview, the wrestlers who launched the protest on January 18 opened up about how the federation threatened their lives and their careers. "The time has come, sir. It feels like they would end our lives. They are looking to end their careers. Wrestlers have made so many sacrifices. If we are going to lose everything, we better fight to keep wrestling alive, and protect the young ones. Imagine, we have been sitting here for two days. Even now, he has been nonchalant. That tells you how powerful he is," said Vinesh Phogat, who had initially spoken up about the alleged sexual assault by the president of the WFI, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
"Our fight is to keep our Olympic dreams alive. We thought we would be able to fight for the nation only on the mat. But we are here on the streets, fighting for our people. We have realised our strength for the first time," said Phogat.
"Did they give their own money? This is our country's money. We are the children of this nation. No one can interfere. We won't allow anyone to do it," she added.
Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia got emotional with his words, saying that his colleagues and him were trying their best to save the present and the future of the sport.
"It's an unfortunate matter for us also. There are plenty of things going on with wrestling because of which we have taken to the streets. We are fighting to save wrestling. Wrestlers are being mentally tortured. We have been dealing with this for a long time.
"We were being intimidated. They have intimidated individual wrestlers, who tried to raise their voices. We wanted to show unity. We all know he is a powerful person. If we go against him, there will be problems," said Punia.
Sakshi Malik went on to clear the air about Brij Bhushan's response, where he said that the opposition party was responsible for the protests. "There is no fear. Wrestlers and junior wrestlers are sitting here without any fear of their future or career, why should I be scared? I have contributed a lot to wrestling. We are here for wrestling," said Malik.
"It has happened with juniors as well as seniors. Is it because of them we won the medal? It was our mothers and fathers who worked hard. Our families have worked hard. Our country has helped us win medals.
"There is no politics involved in this. This is the fight of our wrestlers against the Wrestling Federation of India. We are fighting to dissolve the body and start afresh. There is no selfishness involved," she added.
