Babita Phogat rejects Sakshi Malik’s claims: Needed my name to release her book
BJP leader and wrestler Babita Phogat has rejected allegations made by Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik, calling them “baseless” and part of a misleading narrative.
Malik had earlier claimed that Phogat was the one who instigated wrestlers to protest against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Singh, alleging Phogat wanted to replace Singh as WFI president. “She also needed Babita Phogat’s name to release her book,” Phogat said, reacting to claims made by Sakshi Malik in her recently-released book ‘Witness’.
Responding to Malik’s remarks, Babita Phogat said, “Sakshi Malik is levelling baseless allegations. Tomorrow, she might say that I made her raise accusations of sexual harassment or even that I indulged in sexual harassment.” She continued, “She is making these claims repeatedly, without any basis. Sakshi could also say that the plan to throw medals into the Ganga was mine.”
“Sakshi should clarify and tell – to whom Priyanka Gandhi sent food there. She should also tell everyone that who got her permission (to protest). What was Deepender Hooda doing at the protest?” Phogat questioned. She also needed Babita Phogat’s name to release her book. I think she loves my name… I have no posts. I have left all the posts that she is talking about…”
Phogat accused Malik of using her name for ulterior motives. Phogat added, “She also needed Babita Phogat’s name to release her book. I think she loves my name…”
“I have left all the posts she is talking about,” Babita Phogat said.
WHAT SAKSHI MALIK SAID
Sakshi Malik had claimed that Babita Phogat encouraged the wrestlers to protest against Brij Bhushan Singh, alleging that Phogat had her own ambitions of becoming the WFI president. “Babita Phogat approached us with the idea of protesting against Brij Bhushan Singh because she had her own agenda — she wanted to become the WFI president,” Malik said, in an interview with India Today TV.
Malik also refuted rumours that Congress supported the protests, stating that two BJP leaders, Babita Phogat and Tirath Rana, were instrumental in securing permission for the protests in Haryana.
“It’s not that we blindly followed her, but we were aware that there were serious issues like sexual harassment and molestation within the federation. We believed that having a woman in charge, especially someone like Babita Phogat, who is also a sportsperson, would bring positive change. We trusted that she would understand our struggles. But we never anticipated that she would play such a big game with us,” she said.