Sakshi Malik and Satyawart’s assertions are denied by Babita Phogat, who refers to them as Congress pawns

Babita Phogat, a former wrestler and prominent member of the BJP, disputed the claims made by Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik and her wrestler husband Satyawart Kadian that they assisted them in obtaining police approval for a protest against accused departing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and referred to them as Congress puppets.

The Olympic medalist and her husband argued that the wrestlers’ protest was not politically driven in a video uploaded on Saturday, saying that Teerath Rana and another BJP politician, Babita, had assisted them in obtaining permission at Jantar Mantar.

“Let me be clear: Our protest is not driven by politics. We arrived to Jantar Mantar in January after two BJP representatives obtained police approval, according to Kadian, who then ordered Sakshi to produce the letter requesting approval for the demonstration in the film.

“Congress did not support this demonstration. More than 90% of those involved in the wrestling community were aware that harassment and intimidation had been occurring over the previous 10–12 years. A few individuals attempted to speak out, but the wrestling community as a whole was divided, they continued.

On Sunday, the 33-year-old Babita used Twitter to refute the wrestling couple’s assertions.

First of all, I want to make it clear that the permission document my younger sister was displaying did not include my signature or my name anywhere on it. As I saw the video of my younger sister and her husband, I simultaneously felt extremely sad and chuckled. In her statement, the BJP leader claimed that there was no evidence of consent and that she was unrelated to the matter.

Phogat further emphasised that she had given the wrestlers advice to have trust in the country’s judiciary and prime minister from the very beginning.

“Have faith in the Prime Minister and the judicial system of the country, the truth will definitely come out,” I have been saying from day one. As a female player, I have always supported all of the national players and will continue to do so, but I have been opposed to this from the start of the protest.

“I have frequently advised all of the wrestlers to meet with the prime minister or the home minister because only they can find a solution. However, you were turning to Deepender S. Hooda, Priyanka Gandhi, and other Congress members for advice—people who are also charged in other instances.

The Haryana BJP leader also criticised the wrestlers for defaming the nation and urged them to explain the true purpose of the protest.

“The citizens of the nation are now familiar with these opposition’s faces. They must answer to all of those farmers, wrestlers, and even soldiers. They compromised the trust and support of the female players who were seated next to them on the dharna for their own political gain, according to Phogat.

“The people of the country will now understand that…your protest on the day of the new Parliament’s inauguration and the issue of immersing medals won for the nation in the Ganges were an embarrassing act for the country,” the statement reads.

“Sister, although I and the people in my nation also consume bread produced from wheat, everyone knows that you eat bread made from almond flour. The majority of the populace is aware that the Congress has turned you into a puppet. Given that the public is now questioning you, the moment has come for you to reveal your true intentions, she said.

Sakshi, Vinesh Phogat, and Bajrang Punia, three of the best wrestlers in the nation, have accused BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment and intimidation and are calling for the MP’s arrest.

Before the wrestlers were removed from Jantar Mantar on May 28, leaders from several political parties, including Congresswoman Priyanka Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and former J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik, paid a visit to the protest site to show their support.

A few days ago, Brij Bhushan was charged by the Delhi Police with stalking and sexual harassment of female wrestlers.