Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Singh launched a sharp critique of wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Saturday, a day after Phogat and fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia joined the Congress party ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections. He further accused Phogat of cheating during the Olympics and suggested that the wrestlers’ political move validates his long-standing claim that Congress orchestrated the 2023 athlete protests as a politically motivated plot.
Singh, who is currently defending himself against sexual assault allegations that sparked major protests by wrestlers in January 2023, asserted that the accusations against him were part of a conspiracy led by Congress and Bhupinder Hooda.
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Singh said, “When the protests began in January, I told the media that it was all a conspiracy against me. Now, it is clear that Congress wrote the script, and it has been exposed at their party office.”
Haryana Assembly Elections
The comments followed Phogat and Punia’s induction into the Congress party on Friday, with Phogat set to contest the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections from the Julana constituency.
Singh expressed his disappointment, accusing both wrestlers of damaging the sport and dishonoring athletes, particularly female wrestlers. “They have not only harmed me but also tarnished the sport and insulted women athletes,” Singh stated.
Singh further questioned the legitimacy of Phogat’s Olympic achievements. “I want to ask Vinesh Phogat if a player can give trials in two weight categories in one day and whether these trials can be paused for five hours after the weigh-in. You went there by cheating and didn’t win any medal because God punished you for your actions,” Singh said.
Singh Accused Bajrang Punia
Additionally, Singh accused Bajrang Punia of participating in the Asian Games without completing required trials, alleging that Congress is using these athletes to advance its political agenda. “I have not insulted women; Congress has. They are using girls for politics,” he added.
Singh denied the sexual assault allegations against him, asserting that the truth will emerge in court. “One day, a court verdict will prove that I was not in Delhi when the alleged incidents took place. For one accusation, I was in Serbia, and for the other two, I was in Lucknow. The reality will become evident, and the people will decide,” Singh claimed.
Singh also accused Congress of hypocrisy, asserting that while they claim to respect women, they are the ones who truly disrespect them. “I am not guilty of dishonoring daughters. If anyone is, it’s Bhupinder Hooda, who wrote this script,” he concluded.
