Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the chief of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and BJP MP, has addressed the ongoing protest by wrestlers in Haridwar. In response to the allegations of sexual harassment made against him, Singh stated that he is not involved in the ongoing investigation, which is being conducted by the Delhi Police. He further asserted that if anyone is found guilty, arrests will be made accordingly. Additionally, Singh highlighted that instead of immersing their medals in the Ganga river, the wrestlers chose to hand them over to Naresh Tikait, a farmer leader.
Renowned wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, have accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually harassing several female wrestlers, including minors. In response to these allegations, the wrestlers organized a protest in Haridwar. Their intention was to symbolically immerse their medals in the river Ganga as a mark of protest. Furthermore, they announced their plan to go on a fast unto death at India Gate, demanding the arrest of Singh.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh emphasized that the ongoing investigation is in the hands of the Delhi Police, and he cannot influence its proceedings. He asserted that if any wrongdoing is proven, arrests will be made accordingly. Singh distanced himself from the decision of wrestlers to immerse their medals, stating that it was their independent choice. Instead, the wrestlers handed over their medals to Naresh Tikait, a farmer leader who intervened in the protest.
During the protest in Haridwar, Naresh Tikait approached the wrestlers and requested them not to immerse their medals. He persuaded them to refrain from taking such a step and sought a five-day period to address their concerns. Considering Tikait’s appeal, the wrestlers temporarily halted their plan of medal immersion.
A person named Amit Pehlwan, claiming to be the uncle of a minor girl who accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment, stated that the protesting wrestlers are misleading his family and using them to frame Singh. This contradictory claim adds complexity to the ongoing situation, highlighting the need for a thorough investigation to ascertain the truth.
United World Wrestling (UWW), the international governing body for wrestling, condemned the actions of the Delhi Police against the protesting wrestlers. UWW warned that if the pending elections of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) are not held within the stipulated time, they may suspend the WFI.
