New Delhi: The memoir Witness, co-authored by former wrestler Sakshi Malik and sports journalist Jonathan Selvaraj, chronicles the inspiring life and struggles of one of India’s most celebrated wrestlers. From her humble beginnings to achieving Olympic glory, the book offers a behind-the-scenes look at the battles Sakshi fought, both on and off the mat. Written in collaboration with Selvaraj, a journalist with years of experience covering wrestling, the memoir reveals not only Sakshi’s personal journey but also highlights the broader challenges faced by female athletes in India.
Sakshi Malik’s Journey to Stardom:
Sakshi Malik rose to prominence with her victory at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she clinched a bronze medal in wrestling, becoming the first Indian female wrestler to win an Olympic medal. Her victory was a landmark moment for Indian sports, particularly in the male-dominated world of wrestling. The memoir delves into the hardships she faced in her early years, growing up in a small village, and her determination to rise above societal and familial expectations to pursue her passion for wrestling.
Despite being perceived as less physically gifted than some of her peers, Sakshi attributes her success to her unwavering dedication to the sport. Throughout the book, she emphasizes the importance of hard work, persistence, and her deep devotion to wrestling, which she often refers to as a “worship” rather than just a sport. This mindset helped her overcome the odds and attain success on the world stage.
The Personal Side of the Champion:
The book offers an intimate portrayal of Sakshi’s personal life, including her relationship with her husband, Sayavrat Kadian, also a former wrestler. Satyavrat has played an instrumental role in Sakshi’s journey, not just as a supportive spouse but as a mentor who has been by her side through thick and thin. Their collaboration has been pivotal in shaping her career, and the memoir sheds light on how their personal and professional lives intersected.
One notable aspect of the memoir is its portrayal of Sakshi’s humility despite her accolades. Despite being one of India’s most accomplished wrestlers, she remains grounded and acknowledges the contributions of others around her, including her husband and fellow wrestlers who helped her along the way.
Challenges and Controversies:
Beyond her athletic achievements, the memoir also delves into the more controversial aspects of Sakshi’s career. One of the most intense chapters addresses the allegations of sexual exploitation she made against the then president of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan, as well as criticisms directed at former Sports Minister Anurag Thakur for their lack of support during times of crisis in her career. These allegations have been part of a larger legal and political battle within Indian wrestling, and the memoir doesn’t shy away from documenting the darker side of sports politics.
The book takes care to highlight the personal toll these controversies have had on Sakshi, detailing the emotional and mental strain she endured in the face of these accusations. It also touches on her fight for justice, which continues to unfold as the legal processes progress.
The Role of Sports Journalism:
Jonathan Selvaraj’s role as a co-author adds another layer of depth to the book. As a journalist with a long-standing career in covering wrestling, Svaraj brings an expert perspective to the narrative. His ability to capture the nuances of Sakshi’s journey while contextualizing the broader struggles of female wrestlers in India adds richness to the storytelling.
Selvaraj’s insights into the wrestling world are evident throughout the book, and his experience in dealing with sensitive subjects is particularly apparent in the way the controversial topics are addressed. The book also highlights the challenges faced by journalists when covering complex subjects involving politics, sports, and personal lives.
Legal and Ethical Considerations:
Writing about controversial issues comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when legal allegations are involved. Jonathan Selvaraj was careful to ensure that the content went through a thorough legal vetting process before publication. As he revealed during a panel discussion, much of the material related to ongoing legal cases was excluded from the book to avoid further complicating the legal situation. Only content that had been legally approved made it into the final manuscript.
The focus begins with Sakshi Malik’s strong response to controversies surrounding the Wrestling Federation. She had a clear stance during a press conference where she refuted allegations and explained her differences with the WFI, particularly regarding the question of exemption from trials. She expressed her frustration and opposition to the situation at that time but emphasized that despite the conflict, the larger goal of Indian wrestling should not be overshadowed by these differences.
The discussion shifts to the mismanagement of the sport, with a particular focus on the lack of a stable, functioning Wrestling Federation. The WFI has been in turmoil, marked by legal battles, disbandment, and reformation of committees. The absence of a well-managed federation has affected wrestlers, who have been denied the proper competitions needed to enhance their skills. Despite this, Indian women wrestlers, including Sakshi Malik, managed to achieve significant success, such as the largest-ever representation of women in wrestling at the Olympics, with one wrestler even reaching the final.
Further, the conversation explores the political dynamics in wrestling. The internal battles within the WFI are depicted as power struggles, where the welfare of wrestlers is often sidelined in favor of maintaining control and power. The conversation also touches on the implications of the High Court’s decision regarding the WFI and its continued resistance to abiding by the court’s ruling.
A significant portion of the discussion involves the narrative from Jonathan, the author of a book on Sakshi Malik’s career. He discusses the challenges of channeling Sakshi’s voice while writing the book, especially as she is not a native English speaker. He emphasizes the importance of objectivity in journalism and how he tried to remain neutral and simply convey Sakshi’s story through her own words. The writing process was complicated by the fact that Jonathan had to balance his own knowledge of wrestling with the need to respect Sakshi’s voice and experience.
The discussion concludes with a poignant note from the book. Sakshi reflects on her journey, from being a young girl with little belief in herself to becoming a fighter who is determined to hold accountable those who wronged her. She likens her battle in the wrestling world to a match, where despite facing setbacks, she remains determined to fight and win.
In essence, the conversation underscores the resilience of Sakshi Malik and other Indian wrestlers, the mismanagement of wrestling in India, and the political complexities that continue to hinder the sport’s growth. It also highlights the personal struggles of athletes who continue to fight for their rights and for the improvement of their sport.
The ethical considerations around documenting such personal and sensitive information are addressed head-on in the book, ensuring that Sakshi’s voice is heard while also adhering to legal and ethical standards.
Witness is not just a memoir; it’s a testament to the resilience and strength of one of India’s most celebrated wrestlers. Sakshi Malik’s journey is one of perseverance, humility, and defiance in the face of adversity. The book provides readers with an honest, sometimes raw, look at the sacrifices she made and the battles she fought, both on the mat and in the larger arena of sports politics.
Through Witness, Sakshi Malik has opened a window into the often overlooked struggles of female athletes in India, highlighting the need for greater support and recognition for their contributions to the nation’s sporting achievements. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of sports, politics, and personal triumphs.
The conversation covers Sakshi’s personal and professional journey, the challenges faced by the wrestling community, and the internal politics within the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
