Brij Bhushan Archives - Lokmarg

‘Brij Bhushan’s Arrogance Has Put Future of Young Wrestlers at Risk’

By LokMarg 25th December 2023

Om Prakash Yadav, a former wrestler from UP, says the chest-thumping by BJP MP Brij Bhushan Saran Singh after the WFI election was unnecessary, unwanted. His views:

When the controversy first dogged the Wrestling Federation of India over alleged misbehavior of then federation president Brij Bhushan Saran Singh with women wrestlers, most young grapplers were concerned that it may affect the holding of Nationals event and subsequently their selection process. They wanted an early solution to the conflict for the sake of their sports career.

Though the controversy dragged on for a while, things did seem to fall back on track after Brij Bhushan was sacked and fresh elections for the federation office were announced. Sanjay Singh was elected the new WFI president and even though it was an open secret as to which camp he belonged, it appeared that normal functioning of the federation will be restored.

The elections were free and fair as these were held under the supervision of the Court – with not a single question raised on its transparency. Young wrestlers were happy when the dates of the under-15 and under-20 Nationals were declared; it was a welcome decision by the new president Sanjay Singh. But the happiness was short lived.

An unnecessary ‘shakti-pradarshan’ (public show of strength) was organized by the newly elected president where he arrogantly declared, “Dabdaba thaa… dabdaba rahega” (our camp dominated WFI and shall continue to do so). This triggered angry reaction from erstwhile protesting wrestlers and the same old controversy revived. It took the WFI back to the same confrontation point from where it had been struggling to come out.

ALSO READ: Dabdaba Tha, Dabdaba Rahega, Says Sanjay Singh

Everyone knew the collaboration between the ex and the newly elected president but to publicly drive the point home was not necessary, especially at a time when the media was showing returning of the Padma Shri (by Bajrang Punia) and announcement of retirement from the sport by Sakshi Mallik.

Now, as per the latest development, the Sports Ministry has asked the Indian Olympic Association to form an ad hoc committee to run the affairs of the WFI after suspending all the activities of the newly activated body. Going a step further, the ministry instructed the WFI not to carry out any activities after it announced junior national championships in violation of norms.

The biggest loser in this battle is the young wrestler. The conflict has put at risk the future of under-20 and under-18 wrestlers who aim for sports-quota government jobs that have an age limit of under 18 and 20 such as the defence services. Now, by the time things come back to normal, they may find themselves on the wrong side of the age-bar. The development has also shocked the wrestler community which believed that the scuffle between two different camps had been laid to rest.

The sports ministry cannot be blamed for its harsh decision as it was much expected and much `invited’. This could also not be termed as a one-sided or biased decision as the ministry has acted for the betterment of the WFI and the sport. The public display of arrogance and seeing the election as the victory for only a section of wrestlers must be discouraged and not go unpunished. My heart beats for the young wrestlers who have to bear the brunt for no fault of their own.

As told to Rajat Rai

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Court Fixes July 7 To Consider Chargesheet Against Brij Bhushan

By LokMarg 1st July 2023

The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi on Saturday fixed July 7 for consideration on cognizance of the chargesheet against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Harjeet Singh Jaspal noted the submission of Delhi police that a supplementary chargesheet is likely to be filed as Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and report on Call Detail Record (CDR) is awaited and it is likely to take up time.
Stating that it is a lengthy charge sheet and requires time to consider, the court has listed the matter on July 7.

Delhi Police had filed a charge sheet on June 15 against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and other accused, Vinod Tomar in a case related to sexual harassment alleged by women wrestlers.

Delhi Police had also filed a cancellation report in a POCSO case against Singh in Patiala House Court of Delhi.

The chargesheet has been filed under Sections 354, 354D, 345A & 506 (1) of IPC, says Special Public Prosecutor Atul Srivastava on chargesheet in sexual harassment charges.

In the wrestlers matter, there were two FIRs registered against Brij Bhushan Singh on the basis of wrestlers’ complaints.

One was registered under POCSO Act and a cancellation report has been filed in the case of minor wrestler. The second was filed on the complaint of several wrestlers in Rouse Avenue Court in the MP/MLA court.

In the Patiala House Court, Delhi Police filed cancellation report citing lack of evidence on POCSO matter. Delhi Police, on June 15, filed a report recommending the cancellation of the POCSO case against Singh. This comes after the minor, who had accused the WFI chief of sexual harassment changed her statement. There was no collaborative evidence in the case, Delhi Police said.

In both matters, Delhi Police officials said that in the FIR registered by the wrestlers, after completion of investigation, they were filing a chargesheet for the offences under Sections 354, 354A , 354D IPC against accused Brij Bhushan and for offences under Sections 109/ 354/354A/506 IPC against accused Vinod Tomar before the Rouse Avenue Court.

In the POCSO matter, after completion of investigation, we have submitted a police report under section 173 Cr PC requesting for a cancellation of the case based upon statements of the complainant i.e., the father of the victim and the victim herself, added Delhi police.

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur had recently told protesting wrestlers during his talks with them that the chargesheet in the case will be filed by June 15.

Wrestlers have made sexual harassment allegations against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Thakur had said that an Internal Complaint Committee of the wrestling federation will be constituted and it will be headed by a woman.

Protesting wrestlers had said they will discuss the outcome of their talks with their supporters. (ANI)

Wrestlers Demand Action Against WFI Chief

By LokMarg 24th April 2023

As top wrestlers resumed their sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar here in the national capital demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia on Monday said that this time “all parties are welcome” to join them and they won’t back down till action is taken against the BJP MP.

This January, the wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Ravi Dahiya, and Sakshee Malikkh among others had called off their protest at Jantar Mantar after being assured that a committee would probe allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against the WFI chief.
The star wrestlers said that they had filed a complaint at the Connaught Place police station on Friday (April 21) stating that seven female wrestlers, including one minor, were harassed and exploited by Brij Bhushan in his capacity as WFI chief.

“It’s been more than 48 hours since the complaint was made, but an FIR has not been filed yet,” Punia told ANI.

The ace wrestler said that this time they will not turn down anyone, and whoever wants to support their protest could come and join them.

“…This time, all parties are welcome to join our protest whether it is BJP, Congress, AAP or any other party…..we’re not affiliated with any party…,” he said.

Delhi Commission For Women (DCW) has issued a notice to Delhi Police to register an FIR on the issue

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat also shared a photograph on her social media that indicated that the wrestlers had spent the night on the footpath. “Podium se footpath tak,” tweeted Phogat.

During their protest in January, Senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat who had arrived to express her solidarity and join the protest of wrestlers was asked to leave the stage as protestors said they did not want to politicize the issue.

After holding talks with Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, the wrestlers were persuaded to call off their protest in January. The sports ministry formed a five-member committee headed by Olympic medallist boxer MC Mary Kom to probe the complaints of the wrestlers.

However, ace wrestler Sakshee Malikkh alleged that even after multiple assurances, not a single demand was fulfilled by the Committee.

“A committee was formed 2.5 months ago and we were given multiple assurances. We waited for months for the report and not a single demand was fulfilled. Seven girls have a sexual harassment case against Brij Bhushan still no action has been taken,” said Malikkh.

Malikkh further asserted that this time they would not deny any support from any political party.

“It was our mistake that last time when people wanted to support us we did not let them, we will not repeat the same mistake. This time everyone is welcome, any party can come and support us,” she said.

On Sunday, wrestler Vinesh Phogat broke down and asserted that the wrestling community will continue their protest “till we don’t get justice”.

“We will sit here day and night. Till the time we don’t get justice. We will sit here,” Vinesh Phogat said breaking down while speaking to media persons.

“It is about our safety and if we international medal-winning female wrestlers are not safe then who is safe? We are from a wrestling family and we are trying to save it till our last breath,” Vinesh said.

When asked about the working of the committee, Vinesh said that she is unaware of the working of the committee.

“We don’t know what the committee is doing. We are asking for justice and we came in front of the entire public to ask for justice and here we are again.”

On DCW’s notice to Delhi Police for reportedly failing to register an FIR in sexual harassment case of women wrestlers Vinesh said, “It’s been three months, and we haven’t got justice, that’s why we are protesting again. We demand justice, FIR has not been registered yet. We are grateful that DCW is supporting us.”

Top Indian wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Ravi Dahiya, and Sakshi Malik, held a sit-in protest in Jantar Mantar in January this year, demanding that Brij Bhushan be removed from the head office and the Wrestling Federation of India be disbanded.

They had accused the WFI body and its chief of sexual harassment and mistreatment of wrestlers. (ANI)