The head of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, faced public scrutiny as he appeared at a political rally despite being under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct.
Singh, who is also a federal lawmaker from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party, is currently involved in a criminal case filed by seven female wrestlers who have accused him of groping young athletes during training camps and tournaments. While Singh vehemently denies the allegations, he refrained from commenting until the court order is issued.
The Delhi police are diligently conducting the investigation and are set to present their findings to the trial court on Thursday.Sporting a saffron robe and turban, traditional attire for Hindu monks, Singh addressed a gathering of supporters at the rally held near his political constituency in Uttar Pradesh.
He reiterated his dedication to serving the people and implementing Prime Minister Modi’s policies. The attendees displayed their unwavering support for Singh, expressing their solidarity through chants and slogans.In addition to his political role, Singh is actively involved in managing approximately 50 private educational centers within and around his constituency. Having served as the president of the Wrestling Federation of India for nearly a decade, his son is also associated with the federation in an official capacity.
The accusations against Singh triggered protests by prominent Indian wrestlers and athletes, resulting in clashes with the authorities. Disturbing images of athletes being forcefully dispersed or detained circulated widely, drawing criticism from notable athletes and opposition politicians. In a powerful demonstration, the wrestlers threatened to discard their hard-earned medals into the sacred Ganges River if their demands were not addressed, eventually leading to meetings with government ministers.
The case has brought the government’s handling of criminal complaints against influential members of the ruling party into the spotlight, prompting the Delhi police to initiate two separate investigations against Singh. One of these investigations falls under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, emphasizing the severity of the allegations.The global sports community has also voiced its opinion on the matter.
The international governing body for wrestling, United World Wrestling, released a statement condemning the detention of wrestlers during protests and expressing dissatisfaction with the progress of the investigations against Singh. The Sport and Rights Alliance, a global coalition of non-governmental organizations advocating for human rights in sports, has urged the International Olympic Committee to ensure a transparent, independent, and impartial investigation into the allegations.
Joanna Maranhao, the network coordinator of the Sport and Rights Alliance, praised the courageous individuals who stepped forward to disclose cases of sexual abuse, underscoring the significance of breaking the silence surrounding such crucial issues.