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NEW DELHI: Congress leader and wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, calling him a “goon and a criminal” and accusing the BJP of backing him despite allegations of sexual harassment levelled by women wrestlers.Phogat, a former World Championship bronze medallist and Asian Games gold medallist, made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Jind on the sidelines of a political programme. Her comments came amid her continued criticism of Singh, who was at the centre of a high-profile wrestlers’ protest in 2023.“Who is Brij Bhushan? Forget about him. He is a goon and a criminal. Why should we give so much respect to that man?” Phogat said.She also questioned Singh’s influence and alleged that people in his political stronghold of Gonda had suffered because of him. Phogat further raised questions about his wealth and alleged land encroachment.“How many people have been troubled in Gonda? How much land has he encroached upon? We will fight this battle in the Supreme Court and take it forward. Where does he fly in helicopters? Where did all this money come from?” she said.
‘The BJP is supporting him’
Phogat, who won three Commonwealth Games gold medals, also alleged that Singh’s money and influence had been used to target women and accused the BJP of supporting him.“On the strength of money, atrocities are committed against girls. This is the reality of the BJP. The BJP is supporting him,” she said.The wrestler also drew a parallel between the treatment of protesting wrestlers in 2023 and the police action witnessed during recent protests.“Three years ago, the way the police behaved with us, we saw the same behaviour with our daughters at Jantar Mantar in Delhi,” Phogat said.
