Wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Satyawart Kadian in a video message said their fight is against WFI chief Brij Bhushan and not against the government. They said most people linked to wrestling were aware of the harassment of women but there was a lack of unity in the community and that is the reason the wrestlers remained silent for a long time.
They denied that the protest is a political one and said they were not being influenced to protest against the governent. They said, "There were some people who kept supporting us during our protest including (Bhim Army Chief) Chandra Shekhar Azad and (former J&K Governor) Satyapal Malik, who inspired us to put forward our issues without fear."
On accusations of Congress leader Deepender Hooda instigating the protest, wrestler Satyawart Kadian stated: "The first time that we started our protest at jantar mantar was in January and the permission for the protest was seeked by two of the BJP leaders - Tirath Rana, and Babita Phogat. Then how is it possible that protest was instigated by the Congress party."
"We have repititvely informed everyone that our fight is not against the government, but against the WFI Chief Brij Bhushan Singh," he stated.
Speaking about the long term silence over the alleged sexual harrasment of female grapplers, Wrestler Sakshee Malikkh stated: "Firstly, there was no unity amongst the community for a long time. Secondly, there was a lot of pressure upon the minor girl's family because of which she changed her statement twice. People coming to wrestling are from very poor background, they lack confidence in voicing their grieviances against such powerful person."