As Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik announced her retirement from wrestling following the election of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh loyalist as Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) preisdent, the Opposition hit out at the BJP for failing to give "justice" to the wrestlers.
"Prime Minister Modi unlocks another achievement," Congress posted on Instagram, while AAP said the daughters of the country do not get "justice under Modi's rule".
India's top wrestlers, led by Bajrang Punia, Sakshi and Vinesh Phogat, had launched a protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar against Brij Bhushan, who was then the WFI chief, accusing him of sexually exploiting several women wrestlers earlier this year. A sexual harassment case has been filed against Brij Bhushan by six women wrestlers, with a Delhi court set to hear arguments afresh from January 4.
Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait, who had joined the wrestlers during their protest at Jantar Mantar, said resigning was not the solution and urged Malik to withdraw it.
"She should not have given up, as resigning in disappointment is not the solution. It takes a lot of time to become a successful wrestler, and she should have maintained her wrestling career," ANI quoted Tikait as saying.
Several Congress leaders came out in support of Malik, with Deepender Hooda saying today or tomorrow, "every drop of tear shed by the wrestlers will be accounted for".
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, in a post on X, said the country would give a "befitting reply" to the tears of our wrestlers as BJP had continued to shield the accused MP.
"These champion wrestlers brought pride to 1.4 billion (140 crore) Indians. Today, we hang our head in shame that they have decided to retire because the perpetrator of sexual violence against them continues to run Indian wrestling through proxies," Venugopal said.
"During their protest, the Home Minister assured justice but today it appears the BJP has continued to shield the accused MP. India will give a befitting reply to the tears of our wrestlers," he further said.