Wrestler Vinesh Phogat reveals, I am one of the six victims of Brij Bhushan. india news
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh Of sexual harassment.The announcement comes just days before Brij Bhushan makes his return to a ranking tournament in Gonda, his stronghold, his first appearance in nearly 20 months after coming out of retirement in December last year.Vinesh, a two-time World Championships medalist and three-time Olympian, had earlier not revealed her identity publicly citing ongoing legal proceedings. In a 4-minute, 22-second Instagram video, he said “certain circumstances” compelled him to speak even though the matter was sub-judice.“SC guidelines say that the identity of any victim should not be revealed… but today, due to certain circumstances, I want to tell you something,” Vinesh said, adding, “I myself am one of the six victims who have filed the complaint, and our testimony is still ongoing.”
Wrestler expressed fear of bias in Gonda event
Vinesh has expressed serious concerns about the fairness and venue of the competition and alleged that the competition is being organized in the stronghold of Brij Bhushan and the institute associated with him.“It is very difficult for a woman to compete in such a situation,” she said. “They have their own private college, and this competition is being held there… It is almost impossible that every hard-working athlete will get his due.”WFI president Sanjay Singh said the venue of the National Open ranking tournament in Gonda would not be changed and a “personal guarantee” would be offered for their safety.Vinesh is now also an MLA after winning from Julana seat of Haryana on Congress ticket in 2024. Urging transparency about the venue, he said, “If any untoward incident happens to me, my team or supporters, the Government of India will be responsible.”He alleged that umpiring and scoring could be influenced by Singh loyalists.
Brij Bhushan will control the points of the match: Vinesh
Vinesh, who is now an MLA after winning the Julana seat of Haryana on a Congress ticket in 2024, said, “Who will referee whose match, how many points will the referee give… all this will be controlled by Brij Bhushan and his people. And the government and our sports ministry are watching it as a silent spectator.”“If Vinesh is worried about her safety, let me assure her that I am personally guaranteeing it. Also, we have UWW-approved referees who officiate and all trial matches are recorded, so there is no possibility of any bias,” Sanjay Singh told PTI.“And let me also add that it is an open tournament which is not mandatory. It is his choice to compete. We are not going to change the venue,” Singh said.Vinesh was a central figure in the protests at Jantar Mantar in 2023, where the country’s top female wrestlers accused Brij Bhushan of bullying and sexual harassment and demanded accountability from the WFI.The case against Brij Bhushan, who has denied all the allegations, is ongoing in the court and the testimonies of the victims are still being recorded. When contacted, Singh declined to comment saying the matter was sub judice.Her comeback tournament, the National Open Rankings, is scheduled to be held in Gonda from May 10 to 12, which is part of the Senior Open Rankings series and she will be seen competing in the 57kg category.The event serves as a pathway for wrestlers aiming to enter the national camp and stake a claim at the Asian Games trials.