Wrestlers' Protest: Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik issue statements after 'protest withdrawal' rumours

Indian Olympians Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia issued separate statements via their social media accounts hours after rumours of the wrestlers withdrawing their protest gained traction.

In a video posted on Twitter, Punia said that he and his peers were putting their lives on the line in their protest against ex-Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh.

'Our lives are on the line, so if we have to leave our jobs to get justice, we are ready to do that as well,' Punia said.

Fellow wrestler Sakshi Malik echoed his sentiments in her tweet. Malik wrote, 'If the job will be an obstacle in the way of justice, we won't waste time and resign immediately.'

The Rio bronze medallist added, 'Those who told our medals would be worth ₹15 each are now after our jobs. Our life is at stake, a job is a very small thing in front of that.'

On June 5, there was speculation that Sakshi Malik had distanced herself from the wrestlers' protest and Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia would follow suit. However, Malik rejected the rumours.

All three wrestlers - Vinesh, Sakshi and Bajrang - have resumed their government duties in the Indian Railways. The development came to light around two days after the grapplers met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding their demands.

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