A Commonwealth and Asian Games Gold medallist, Vinesh Phogat, who was one of the top Indian wrestlers to lead the protest against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment charges, broke down on camera after his aide Sanjay Singh was elected as the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) new chief.
Brij Bhushan Singh, who led the WFI for 12 years, had to step aside earlier this year, paving the way for fresh polls. His close aide Sanjay Singh won the polls yesterday to succeed him in the top post, ANI reported.
The wrestlers at the forefront of the protests – Sakshee Malikkh, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat – addressed the media after the election results were declared.
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Vinesh Phogat said, “Now that Sanjay Singh has been elected chief of the federation, women wrestlers will continue to face harassment.”
“There are minimal expectations but we hope that we get justice. It’s saddening that the future of wrestling is in the dark. To whom shall we convey our grief? We are still fighting,” said Phogat as she broke down on camera.
Meanwhile, Sakshee Malikkh, an Olympic medallist, said they had wanted the wrestling body to get a woman chief. “But that did not happen. We fought, but if the new president is Brij Bhushan’s aide, his business partner, then I quit wrestling,” she added while putting her boots on the table.
Sanjay Singh won 40 out of 47 votes in a landslide victory over Anita Sheoran, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist who was backed by top wrestlers who had protested over sexual harassment charges against Singh, a six-time MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Kaiserganj.
Sanjay Singh is considered a loyalist of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was accused of sexually exploiting several women wrestlers, including minors.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who was in the race for the WFI vice-president post, lost the election.
(With inputs from agencies)