In her autobiography, "Sakshi," Olympic bronze medalist Sakshi Malik alleges that former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh sexually assaulted her in 2012. Malik recounts being called to a hotel room under the pretext of discussing her parents during the Asian Junior Championship in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where Singh attempted to sexually assault her. She managed to escape the situation, emphasizing that Singh's powerful position had silenced her for years due to fear of career repercussions.
Additionally, Malik reveals childhood trauma, sharing that she was molested by a tuition teacher, which she kept hidden for a long time, fearing blame. She eventually confided in her mother about the abuse but struggled with feelings of guilt.
Malik, alongside fellow wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, led protests against Singh's alleged sexual harassment, which included accusations from multiple female wrestlers during his tenure. The protests culminated on May 28, 2023, when police obstructed their march towards the new Parliament building. Following the WFI's suspension, Bajrang and Vinesh were excluded from the 2023 Asian Games trials, while Malik chose not to seek assistance as her colleagues suggested. She expressed dissatisfaction with their decision to accept exemptions, feeling it undermined the protest's integrity and appeared self-serving.