New Delhi: Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has publicly disclosed that she is one of the six women wrestlers who filed sexual harassment complaints against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, just days before her anticipated comeback to competitive wrestling.
In a video message shared on social media on Sunday, the 31-year-old two-time World Championships medallist and three-time Olympian launched a sharp critique of the WFI and Singh ahead of the National Open Ranking Tournament scheduled for May 10-12 at Nandini Nagar Mahavidyalaya in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh — Singh’s home constituency.
Phogat, who along with Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia led a 36-day protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar in April-May 2023 against the former WFI chief, expressed deep unease about competing in the event. “Imagine if I go to his house and to his college where every person would be related to him… I don’t think I will be able to give my 100% there. It is very difficult for a girl to compete in such a situation,” she said.
She further highlighted ongoing concerns within the wrestling ecosystem. “Even today, Brij Bhushan says that he runs the wrestling federation… But still, the sports ministry or the government does not take any action,” Phogat added, urging sports enthusiasts and media personnel to attend the tournament to ensure transparency.
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Singh, a six-time Lok Sabha member, faces charges in a Delhi court based on complaints from six adult wrestlers. A separate complaint filed by a minor was later withdrawn, and in May last year, a Delhi court accepted the Delhi Police’s cancellation report, closing the POCSO case.
In her statement, Phogat referenced Supreme Court guidelines on victim identity protection but chose to speak out due to the circumstances. “I did not want to speak while the case is still pending, but I want to say that I am one of the six victims who filed a complaint, and our testimonies are still ongoing,” she said.
This marks Phogat’s return to the mat after her disqualification at the 2024 Paris Olympics for being 100 grams over the weight limit. Since then, she has become a mother and was elected as an MLA in the Haryana Assembly.
WFI president Sanjay Singh has assured her safety but ruled out changing the tournament venue. Reports indicate Brij Bhushan is currently away from Gonda, and his family declined to comment on Phogat’s remarks.
