Lucknow, 31 May: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) and President of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Brij Bhushan Saran Singh remains unconcerned even after agitated wrestlers threatened to immerse their medals in the Ganga, and the United World Wrestling (UWW) warned of “federation suspension, forcing athletes to compete under a neutral flag.
Singh denied all allegations, declaring that he “was not guilty” and that he was “ready to be hanged if any minor allegation is proven.”
Singh questioned the wrestlers’ seven-year wait in making a complaint, noting that the “alleged incident occurred seven years ago.” Discussions with the sports ministry lasted two days when the protest began in January. Wrestlers proposed members for an oversight committee, which was constituted. The committee heard every complaint and sent over the findings to the Delhi Police.
Singh stated that he stood down “to allow for a fair investigation” and that he would “not contest the elections again.” Singh, on the other hand, questioned how the wrestler’s original demand for his “resignation” evolved into a demand for “a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case and arrest.”
Singh maintains that the committee called witnesses on these charges as well, and that “most of the girls refused to testify” against him because “there was no truth to the allegations.” He claimed a “conspiracy angle” by pointing out that the wrestlers’ stances altered each time, although he stayed constant.
Singh questioned why the whole federation’s operations had been halted when the charges were against the WFI’s president. “Activities should have gone on. This enhanced the morale of those who leveled false accusations. The best way out is to hold WFI elections and form an ad hoc committee to run the tournaments on this calendar,” he stated.
This, according to Singh, will “allow wrestlers from other states, particularly the Northeast, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh, not only to compete but also to win medals. The credentials they receive will assist them in obtaining government and private sector jobs.” Singh stated that he just had one question. “Why do wrestlers from other states not have the right to speak out on this issue?”
He went on to say that wrestlers from “all states” support him and that he “could have issued a call” to those who back him to come out. But I didn’t do that,” he pointed out. Singh claims that all of these charges are part of a larger conspiracy. “I know my life, and I am absolutely certain that nothing can be proven against me. Even though the Delhi Police interrogated me for five to six hours, I am certain that there is nothing to establish that I am guilty.”
He stated that the issue was being investigated by the Delhi Police and that the outcome was out of his control. Singh, on the other hand, “regrets his passion for wrestling”. “I loved wrestling, and I gave my all as president of the federation.” Now I believe it was my fault.”
