Wrestler Sakshi Malik listed among 100 most influential people by Time magazine
New Delhi, Apr 17: Olympic medallist Indian wrestler Sakshi Malik has been listed among the 100 most influential people of 2024 by Time magazine.
Sakshi, India's only female Olympic medallist in wresting, has been honoured for her relentless fight against alleged sexual harassment of female wrestlers by former Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Sakshi along with two-time World Championships bronze medallist Vinesh Phogat and Tokyo Olympics bronze winner Bajrang Punia spearheaded the protest against Singh at the Jantar Mantar here, demanding his arrest for intimidating and allegedly sexually harassing female grapplers of the country.
The protest, which began in January last year, became a year-long battle against Singh drawing support and attention both in India and abroad.
A charge sheet was filed against Singh but he continues to deny the allegations.
"This fight is no longer only for India's female wrestlers," said Sakshi of the movement she helped spark.
"It is for the daughters of India whose voices have been silenced time and again."
Shortly after Singh relinquished his post, his close aide and business partner, Sanjay Singh, was elected as WFI president.
Sakshi decided to quit the sport the day Sanjay Singh took charge of WFI.
Other Indians to feature in the list include actress Alia Bhatt, Indo-British actor Dev Patel and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
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NCW seeks report from Karnataka Police on sexual abuse allegations against MP Prajwal Revanna
New Delhi (PTI): The National Commission for Women (NCW) has sought a report within three days from the Karnataka police over allegations of sexual abuse involving Lok Sabha MP Prajwal Revanna.
In a letter to Karnataka DGP, the NCW drew attention to this matter following the circulation of several explicit video clips on social media platforms depicting Revanna allegedly engaged in acts of sexual abuse against multiple women.
The commission urged prompt and decisive action to apprehend the accused, who is reported to have fled the country.
It also emphasised the importance of ensuring the safety and dignity of women and preventing the perpetuation of a culture that fosters disrespect and violence against them.
"The Commission strongly condemns the incident and is deeply disturbed by its occurrence," the letter read.
"Such events not only endanger women's safety but also foster a culture of disrespect and violence against them. We urge prompt and decisive action from the concerned Police Authority to swiftly apprehend the accused, who has fled the country," it said.
The commission has demanded that a detailed report outlining the measures taken by the police authority concerned be submitted to it within three days.
The police on Sunday booked Prajwal and his father -- JD(S) MLA and former minister H D Revanna -- for sexual harassment and criminal intimidation based on a complaint from a woman, who worked in their household.
Prajwal (33) is the BJP-JD(S) alliance candidate for the Hassan Lok Sabha seat, which went to polls on April 26.
