Commonwealth Games gold medalist Babita Phogat has hit back at Sakshi Malik a day after the latter, along with her husband, released a video statement in relation to the ongoing wrestler's protest.
In their video message, Malik and her wrestler husband Satyawart Kadian claimed that they got permission from Phogat and Tirath Rana to protest at Jantar Mantar against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
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Phogat, who is a prominent leader of India's ruling party BJP, has hit back at Malik and accused her of being a 'puppet' in the hands of India's principal opposition party the Indian National Congress.
MORE: Brij Bhushan charged with sexual harassment, stalking
Denying issuing any permission for protest, Phogat wrote in a statement on Twitter,
But instead, they sought help from Congress leaders like Priyanka Gandhi, Deepender Hooda and others, who themselves are guilty in many cases.
The people of the country have understood that you have become a puppet in the hands of the Congress. Now, the time has come that you should tell your real intention because now the public is asking you questions.
एक कहावत है कि
— Babita Phogat (@BabitaPhogat) June 18, 2023
ज़िंदगी भर के लिये आपके माथे पर कलंक की निशानी पड़ जाए।
बात ऐसी ना कहो दोस्त की कह के फिर छिपानी पड़ जाएँ ।
मुझे कल बड़ा दुःख भी हुआ और हँसी भी आई जब मैं अपनी छोटी बहन और उनके पतिदेव का विडीओ देख रही थी , सबसे पहले तो मैं ये स्पष्ट कर दूँ की जो अनुमति का काग़ज़… https://t.co/UqDMAF0qap
Phogat added that there was no proof of her signature on the permission slip and that she was against the wrestlers' stir, which first began in January.
Delhi Police has charged the outgoing WFI chief of sexual harrasment and stalking but told the court that they found no "corroborative evidence" against the BJP leader in a case filed by a minor.
READ: Indian Wrestlers’ protest: All you need to Know