In a heated statement, former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh accused Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat of “cheating” to participate in competitions. Singh’s comments came after Phogat, along with fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia, joined the Congress party ahead of the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. Phogat is the Congress candidate from Julana, while Punia has been named working chairman of the All India Kisan Congress.

Singh, who has faced allegations of sexual harassment by several wrestlers, claimed that Phogat manipulated her way into wrestling tournaments. “Can a player give trials in two weight categories in a day? Can the trials be stopped for five hours after the weigh-in?” Singh questioned. “You went there by cheating, and God punished you,” he added, referring to her failure to win the tournament.

Singh also accused Bajrang Punia of competing in the Asian Games without undergoing proper trials. He criticized Phogat and Punia, claiming their protests against him disrupted wrestling activities in India for over two years.

Responding to their entry into politics, Singh argued that the protests led by the wrestlers were orchestrated by the Congress, specifically pointing fingers at senior Congress leader Bhupinder Hooda and his family. Sanjay Singh, the current WFI president, echoed this sentiment, stating that the protests were politically motivated and aimed at derailing India’s Olympic wrestling prospects.

Phogat, addressing her political debut, expressed that while the BJP backed Brij Bhushan, it was the Congress that stood by the wrestlers during their protest, especially during moments when they were “mishandled by police.” Punia also voiced similar thoughts, highlighting Congress’ support during their challenging times.

The wrestlers’ protest gained national attention last year, leading to significant controversy around Brij Bhushan’s role in Indian wrestling.