- Indian Wrestling Federation chief Brij Bhushan Singh faces serious allegations of sexual harassment.
- Victims and their supporters report ongoing intimidation and threats.
- The scandal has caused widespread fear and disruption within the wrestling community.
On a sweltering afternoon in Rohtak, Haryana, a man in his 30s parked his SUV at a deserted sports stadium, a relic of the past. The stadium’s silence mirrored the tension he felt as he began to recount a disturbing tale involving Brij Bhushan Singh, the former head of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Singh, once a powerful figure in Indian sports and a politician aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party, is now accused of sexually abusing young wrestlers for over a decade.
The man, who declined to be named and insisted on secrecy, revealed how Singh’s alleged actions had devastated the lives of many wrestlers. This unsettling account was part of a broader scandal that has been making headlines across India. The controversy first erupted in January last year when elite wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik, staged a sit-in protest near the Indian Parliament, demanding Singh’s removal and a thorough investigation.
These athletes claimed that Singh had fostered a culture of sexual abuse during his 12-year tenure. Their protests, which included public displays of distress and demands for reform, brought significant attention to the issue but also exposed them to threats and intimidation. Singh, who has denied the charges, reportedly used his political connections and influence to suppress the allegations and retaliate against those who spoke out.
Despite Singh’s removal from his official roles and his ongoing trial, the atmosphere in Haryana’s wrestling community remains charged with fear. Supporters and complainants have faced threats, and wrestling academies have been warned against training wrestlers involved in the case. In one notable instance, a young female wrestler received threats of being framed in a doping scandal.
The scandal has not only impacted the careers of many promising wrestlers but has also cast a shadow over India’s Olympic success in wrestling. As the sport’s prominence continues to grow, the fear and uncertainty surrounding these allegations threaten to overshadow the achievements and potential of India’s wrestling stars.
