Hang me but don’t stop wrestling: Brij Bhushan

Gonda (Uttam Hindu News): Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Monday said wrestling in the country should not stop because of the performance of top wrestlers, even if they are hanged.

He said that for the last four months, all wrestling events have come to a standstill across the country, due to which young wrestlers are suffering.

Brij Bhushan told reporters here, “The wrestling activities in the country have come to a complete standstill in the last four months. I say hang me, but don’t stop the wrestling, don’t play with the future of the children. Let the cadet national competition happen, whoever organizes it… be it in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu or Tripura, but don’t stop the activities.”

It is noteworthy that many famous wrestlers of the country including Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat have accused Brij Bhushan of sexual harassment of female wrestlers. These wrestlers are protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar demanding action against Brij Bhushan.

Two FIRs have been registered against Brij Bhushan, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Gonda, one of which is related to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO).

Brij Bhushan said that whoever organizes the cadet competition, WFI has no objection to it. He said, “I appeal to them (wrestlers) to organize cadet nationals, junior nationals and other tournaments. If not, let WFI do it.”

It is worth mentioning that due to the protest by the wrestlers, the Sports Ministry has also canceled the WFI elections to be held on May 7 and has asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form a committee and conduct the elections within 45 days. The IOA has constituted a committee comprising former shooter Suma Shirur, Wushu Federation of India president Bhupendra Singh Bajwa and a retired high court judge.

Brij Bhushan said, “A child who is 14 years and nine months old will be more than 15 years old in three months’ time. If he turns 15 then the chance to compete (at the Nationals) will go in vain. They (the protesting wrestlers) should understand this seriously. Hang me but don’t play with the future of the children. Let there be national competitions, let the camps run. ,

Brij Bhushan has confirmed that he will not run for the presidency, but has indicated that he may seek a new role within the federation. He has already served as WFI president for 12 years and is ineligible to reapply for the post under the Sports Code of Conduct.