New Delhi: Despite the raging controversy, Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan has asserted that he will not resign from the post and swore to expose the 'political conspiracy' going on against him, sources said. His latest assertions came amidst widespread reports that he may resign at the WFI's Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled to be held on January 22.
Since last Wednesday, star wrestlers of India have been holding a silent protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi demanding sacking of Brij Bhushan after levelling allegations of sexual harassment and highhandedness. On his part, the BJP MP refused to budge and started asserting that there was no need to resign since he was elected to that post.
In the face of mounting pressure from all around, Brij Bhushan Sharan put up a brave front on Friday, saying he will "expose the political conspiracy" behind the wrestlers' allegations against him. Initial reports said that the beleaguered MP will address a press conference later in the day at the Wrestlers' Training Centre at Nawabganj in his native Gond district of UP.
Though Brij Bhushan had tried to reach out to the wrestlers, they were unrelenting in their demand for removing him from the post of WFI chief. Different sections have expressed solidarity to the protesting wrestlers. The Congress has asked the Modi Government to explain whether this is a better environment for the national players who bring laurels to the country at the international level.
Brij Bhushan, a six-time BJP MP, has been accused by wrestler Vinesh Phogat of seeking sexual favours from women wrestlers. An MP from Kaiserganj in Uttar Pradesh, he has been holding the WFI chief post since 2011. A wrestler himself in student days, he belongs to the Thakur community in the Gond belt. The MP got recognition for his active participation in the Ayodhya Mandir movement.
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Bhushan maintained that 97 percent of wrestlers are with the WFI and those protesting were pressured into it. "There has been no incident of sexual harassment. If such a thing has happened, then I will hang myself," said the WFI president during a press conference. "Sexual harassment is a big allegation. How can I take action when my own name has been dragged into this? I am ready for an investigation," he added.
Meanwhile, the wrestlers continues their protest at Jantar Mantar for the third consecutive day on Friday against the WFI chief and its coaches for sexual harassment of women athletes. Adressing media personnel from the venue, Bajrang Punia Urged everyone to not politicize the matter and said that they are fighting against the WFI and appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur to hear their demands.
Demanding a complete overhaul of the Federation, Punia, the 2022 CWG gold medallist said, "We're waiting for Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to come forward. We're here by risking our careers. This fight is for our young wrestlers who are the future of wrestling." Before speaking to the media, the wrestlers in a letter addressed to IOA President PT Usha said that they have been informed by several of their younger colleagues about the sexual harassment they faced by Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The letter is signed by Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Ravi Dahiya and Deepak Punia. Meanwhile, some wrestlers also had late night meeting with Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on the issue that stretched into the early hours of Friday. As the mounting pressure on Brij Bhushan Singh increases with demands for his resignation echoing, he has maintained his stand that he will now resign from the post and has refuted all the allegations leveled against him.
