They went to immerse medals but gave it to Tikait: WFI chief slams protesting wrestlers

Wrestlers reached Haridwar on Tuesday to immerse their medals in the Ganga in protest against the Union government.

The plan was later called off after farmer leaders sought five days’ time from them to resolve the issue. Reacting to this, WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said, “What can we do if the players want to immerse their medals?”

In an interview with India Today, Brij Bhushan Singh, who is facing sexual harassment charges, said, “The wrestlers went to immerse their medals in Ganga ji. But instead of Ganga ji, they gave their medal to (Rakesh) Tikait. That is their stand. What can we do?”

Several top wrestlers, including Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat, have been protesting against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, after sexual harassment allegations were levelled against him. They are demanding his arrest.

Speaking to India Today on Tuesday, BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said, “Now, there is no question of resignation. Now my tenure is over and an election will be held.”

“Let them investigate and see what happens in the future. Nothing is now in our hands. Everything has been left to the Delhi Police,” he added.

Talking about the wrestlers who have been staging a dharna since April, Brij Bhushan Sharan Signh said, “Why these people are doing this, only they can answer this question. An oversight committee was formed, an FIR was done on their request, and now the investigation is going on.”

The Delhi Police had filed two FIRs against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP last month on the basis of the complaints from the wrestlers.

He reiterated, “If I am found to be in the wrong, then I will be arrested. I have no problem with that.”