The ongoing protest in New Delhi, demanding the removal and arrest of Wrestling Federation of India president Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, who is accused of sexually exploiting and harassing female wrestlers, according to Bajrang Punia, is more important than the upcoming Asian Games.
“It’s not as if we don’t want to go to the Asian Games,” he said at a press conference. “However, I believe that achieving justice for this country’s daughters is far more important than an Asian medal.”
The ongoing protest coincides with the wrestlers’ preparations for the Asian Games, which will be held in Hangzhou, China in September of this year. Two of India’s three Asian Games gold medalists in wrestling, Bajrang and Vinesh Phogat, are currently camped out at Jantar Mantar in the Indian capital, alongside 2016 Olympics medalist Sakshi Malik and other wrestlers. With the WFI currently suspended, it is unclear who will represent India at the Asiad.
Bajrang Punia also expressed dissatisfaction with the media’s coverage of the protests, claiming that it has been biased in favor of Brijbhushan, who is “trying to give this protest a different angle.”
“Look at his criminal record; there are no doubts about it.” “When we receive medals for the country, questions are raised,” he said.
Brijbhushan, according to Bajrang, is attempting to maintain control of the federation through his family. Since 2019, his son, Karan Bhushan Sharan Singh, has served as senior vice-president of the Uttar Pradesh Wrestling Association, as well as vice president and member of the WFI executive committee.
“A few people are attempting to turn this protest into a political one.” “He (Brijbhushan) has been talking about how we’re sitting here fighting this battle because we want to take control of the federation,” Bajrang Punia explained.
“If you want to be president of the federation or hold any other position in it, you must be a member of a state wrestling federation.” He has stated that he will not run in another election or return, but he has served 12 years and thus cannot. However, his family has a stranglehold on wrestling in UP and Bihar. He has accused us of ‘pariwaarvad,’ but it is he who is doing it.”
Since the beginning of the protests, opponents of the wrestlers have attempted to divide the issue between the states of UP (Brijbhushan’s home state, where he is an MP) and Haryana (home to the majority of the wrestlers).
In response to questions, Vinesh stated, “You can see so many athletes on Twitter who have sent messages and openly supported us.” “Not all of them are from Haryana or wrestlers, whether it’s Abhinav Bindra, Nikhat Zareen, or Sania Mirza.”
The wrestler also stated that she will not reveal any information about the ongoing investigation by the Delhi Police, who confirmed to the Supreme Court that they will file an FIR against the BJP MP out of concern for the safety of the complaining women. “This is a delicate matter, and the safety of these girls is critical.” “We can’t afford to have any information leaked,” she explained.
