Former BJP MP and ex-Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Singh has launched a scathing attack on Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat, accusing her of “cheating” to qualify for the Olympics. Singh, who is currently facing allegations of sexual harassment from several wrestlers including Phogat, claimed that her failure to win a medal was divine punishment.
“They cheated to attend the Olympics,” says Brij Bhushan Singh
Singh questioned the validity of Phogat’s participation in the Olympic trials, alleging that she manipulated the process. “Can an athlete try out in two weight categories in one day? Can trials be stopped for five hours after weigh-in?” he asked rhetorically. He also accused Phogat of not earning her Olympic spot on merit, but through deception. “You didn’t win wrestling; you got there by cheating. God has punished you for that,” Singh said.
The fighters’ protests and their entry into politics
Phogat, along with fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia, was a prominent figure in the protests against Brij Bhushan Singh last year, demanding accountability over sexual harassment allegations. Their fight against Singh has now spilled over into the political arena, with both Phogat and Punia joining the Congress party. Phogat will contest the upcoming elections, while Punia has been appointed as the working president of the All India Kisan Congress.
“A Congress conspiracy,” says Brij Bhushan
Singh, in his ongoing attacks, has accused Phogat of being the “face of the Congress conspiracy” to discredit him. He claimed that Congress leader Deepender Hooda and his family orchestrated the protests against him. Singh also stressed that he had never disrespected the wrestlers, and instead accused Bajrang and Vinesh of being guilty of that.
Brij Bhushan Singh’s role in BJP’s campaign in Haryana
Despite the controversies surrounding him, Brij Bhushan Singh asserted his commitment to the BJP. He said that if asked, he would participate in the party’s campaign in Haryana, where Phogat is contesting the post. He expressed confidence that any BJP candidate would be able to defeat her in the elections.
Phogat and Punia criticise BJP’s support for Singh
After joining the Congress, Phogat criticised the BJP for supporting Singh during the sexual harassment allegations. She claimed that while the BJP backed Singh, the Congress offered support to the protesting fighters during their struggle. Punia echoed Phogat’s sentiments and thanked the Congress for supporting them during their difficult time when they were “being dragged on the streets” of Delhi.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the post for any purpose.
We respect the intellectual property rights of content creators. If you are the owner of any material featured on our website and have concerns about its use, please contact us. We are committed to addressing any copyright issues promptly and will remove any material within 2 days of receiving a request from the rightful owner.