Brij Bhushan Singh claims Congress was behind wrestlers' protest after Bajrang, Vinesh join party

In a recent turn of events, former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, reiterated his stance that the wrestlers' protest was politically motivated. His comments come a day after prominent wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia joined the Congress party. Singh alleged that the wrestlers' movement was orchestrated by the Congress and that his earlier claims of the party’s involvement were now proven true.

In an interview with ANI on Saturday, Singh referred to the protests at Jantar Mantar in January 2023, where athletes demanded justice for women athletes. "On 18th January 2023, when the protest began, I said that this was not a movement of sportspersons but rather one led by Congress, particularly Bhupinder Hooda, Deepender Hooda, Priyanka ji, and Rahul ji. Today, it has been proven. The conspiracy against me was driven by Congress, with Bhupinder Hooda at the forefront," Singh stated.

Singh further criticized the protest, claiming it was not about the dignity of women. He argued that the protest brought embarrassment to Haryana's daughters rather than supporting them. "I want to tell the people of Haryana that Bhupinder Hooda, Deepender Hooda, Bajrang, and Vinesh were not protesting for women's dignity. They caused embarrassment for Haryana’s daughters. We are not responsible for this; the Hoodas and the protestors are," he added.

#WATCH | On Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia joining Congress, Former WFI president and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh says, "On 18th January 2023 when the protest started at Jantar Mantar, I had said that this is not a movement of sportspersons, Congress is behind it,… pic.twitter.com/XLcwz34R4R

— ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2024

He also emphasized that the protest had political motives and reiterated his innocence. Singh asked what Congress would say once it's proven he wasn't in Delhi on the day of the alleged incident. "They used women athletes for politics. They were not fighting for honour; they were fighting for power," he declared.

Singh also directed blame at Bhupinder Hooda for disrespecting women, stating, "I am not guilty of disrespecting daughters; if anyone is guilty, it’s Bajrang, Vinesh, and the one who wrote the script - Bhupinder Hooda."

Meanwhile, it is important to note that the statement from Singh has come after Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat officially joined the Congress ahead of the Haryana assembly polls on Friday. Phogat has been fielded in the Julana constituency, while Punia was appointed working president of the All India Kisan Congress.