Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): In a significant revelation that has intensified the spotlight on the leadership of Indian wrestling, Olympian and Congress MLA Vinesh Phogat disclosed on Sunday that she is one of the six female athletes who filed formal sexual harassment complaints against former federation president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Making the announcement via a social media post, Phogat explained that while she had intended to remain anonymous under Supreme Court protections, the circumstances surrounding the upcoming 2026 Senior Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, forced her hand. She expressed deep-seated fears regarding her safety and the neutrality of the competition, which is scheduled to take place from May 10 to 12 in an area widely considered to be a stronghold of the former Member of Parliament.
The decorated wrestler raised pointed questions about the fairness of the officiating and the technical processes at the event, noting that the tournament is being held at a private college owned by Singh. Phogat alleged that the Wrestling Federation of India remains under the influence of its former chief and his associates, suggesting that every aspect of the competition, from the mat chairmen to the weigh-in procedures, could be manipulated to target dissenting athletes. She voiced her frustration with the Union Sports Ministry, describing the government as a mute spectator while athletes are forced to compete in an environment they find hostile and intimidating. Phogat stated that as an athlete under immense pressure to perform, she cannot guarantee her best results while worrying about her personal security and the integrity of the results.
In response to these allegations, current WFI President Sanjay Singh dismissed the concerns regarding biased refereeing, asserting that the federation utilizes a panel of honest and professional officials. He personally guaranteed that no harm would come to Phogat during her time in Gonda and insisted that no wrestler receives special treatment or faces targeted disadvantage on the mat. Despite these assurances, Phogat maintains that the choice of venue is a deliberate attempt to exert psychological pressure on those who participated in the 2023 protests at Jantar Mantar. She warned that the Government of India would be held responsible for any untoward incidents involving her or her support team during the three-day meet.
The Gonda tournament marks a pivotal moment in Phogat’s professional journey as it is her first competitive appearance since the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 31-year-old athlete, who recently reversed her retirement decision with an eye on the Los Angeles 2028 Games, is using this event as a critical qualifying step for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan. The competition also sees her moving into the 57 kg weight class, marking the fifth category shift of her career. As legal proceedings against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh continue in court with witness depositions, Phogat’s decision to go public underscores the ongoing friction between India’s top wrestlers and the administrative body governing the sport.
