The President of Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, has become the subject of headlines after the famous Indian wrestler who won gold both in commonwealth as well as in Asian games, Vinesh Phogat alleged that the President had sexually exploited and harassed women wrestlers, know about the ongoing WFI controversy
The 28-year-old wrestler who represented India and won multiple medals for the country in the World Wrestling Championship has claimed that the President had been harassing women wrestlers for over a period of years.
The wrestler who has been at loggerheads with the WFI since the Tokyo Olympics had revealed that it wasn’t her but her colleagues who became the victim of exploitation.
The matter didn’t end with the allegations as the wrestler went ahead and protested against WFI and its President Brij Bhusan in Delhi.
WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh controversy reason explained and why are India wrestlers protesting against him
#LIVE | I don't do any dictatorship. My doors are open. Sakshi Malik has come & spoken to me. Vinesh Phogat is accusing me. Commonwealth qualifying was ongoing, the situation wasn't good; I tried to support her: WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh https://t.co/VRWivYaXBr pic.twitter.com/OU2Ni0rrqv
— Republic (@republic) January 18, 2023
After the protest done by Vinesh had made headlines, the President of the WFI had come forward as he released a statement and refuted the allegations.
The Entire Situation
For those who are unfamiliar with the situation, let us tell you, on Wednesday January 18, 2023, the veteran Indian wrestler, Phogat alleged that Brij Bhushan has been involved in exploiting women wrestlers for many years.
She further went on to claim that several of her coaches at the National Camp in Lucknow have also exploited women wrestlers.
In a 4-hour long protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, several other wrestlers also went forward and started the protest. During the protest, Vinesh stated that although she wasn’t harassed, one of the victims was present at the protest.
The Haryana-native further revealed that she had been receiving death threats from officials who are close to Brij Bhushan after she decided to raise the issue before the PM Narendra Modi after the Tokyo Olympics.
Meanwhile, another Indian wrestler, Bajrang Punia, who represented the country at the Tokyo Olympics and even won the bronze medal has referred to President Brij as a “dictator,” and also claimed that he ran WFI in an arbitrary manner.
If you’re unsure, let us clear, a number of notable Indian wrestlers who represented the country in the Olympics as well as CWG were presented at the protest including, Sakshi Malik, Sarita Mor, Sangeeta Phogat, Anshu Malik, Sonam Malik, among many more.
If we speak about the numbers a total of 30 other wrestlers apart from Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia were present at the protest.
Who’s Brij Bhushan?
If you’re wondering about Brij Bhushan, let us tell you, the 66-year-old has been President of WFI since 2011. He was elected for the position for his third consecutive term back in February 2019.
Apart from being a president of WFI, Bhushan is also a politician and presently working with BJP and serving as a member of Parliament from Kaiserganj.
Previously, he was associated with the Samajwadi Party until 2014 before eventually joining hands with BJP.
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