'Is It A Crime To Be Close To Brij Bhushan': New WFI Chief Sanjay Singh As Wrestlers Protest His Elevation

Sanjay told reporters that being connected to former WFI chairman Brij Bhushan Singh is not a crime and that he is not a "dummy candidate."

WFI President Sanjay Singh.

Source : PTI

Sanjay Singh, the recently elected president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), remarked on Saturday that retirement is a personal decision for an athlete and that he will not talk on the subject, news agency ANI reported. Earlier, Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik, who was the face of the wrestlers' protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment claims, announced her retirement from the sport on Thursday. Her decision occurred just an hour after Sanjay Singh was appointed as the new WFI president, succeeding Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Sanjay told reporters that being connected to former WFI chairman Brij Bhushan Singh is not a crime and that he is not a "dummy candidate."

Speaking with media, Singh stated: "Those who are athletes have already started preparing and those who want to engage in politics can do that. It is their personal matter, I will not speak about this. I have been in the federation for 12 years. Just because I am close to MP (Brij Bhushan Singh) does not mean I am a dummy candidate. Is it a crime if I am close to him?"

#WATCH | On wrestler Sakshi Malik quitting wrestling, Newly elected WFI president Sanjay Singh says "Those who are athletes have already started preparing and those who want to engage in politics can do that. It is their personal matter, I will not speak about this...I have been… pic.twitter.com/THqd6Z9eTI

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2023

Meanwhile, former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said that the federation will organise Under-15 and Under-20 wrestling competitions from December 28th to December 31st. "Because of some issues, national or state level wrestling events were paused in the country for 11 months. We have announced to hold Under-15 and Under-20 wrestling events from 28th December to 31st December. If these tournaments are not organised within 31st, one complete year of the wrestlers will be affected," Brij Bhushan was quoted by ANI in its report.

#WATCH | Former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh says "Because of some issues, national or state level wrestling events were paused in the country for 11 months...We have announced to hold Under-15 and Under-20 wrestling events from 28th December to 31st December...If these… pic.twitter.com/DOSIkbcbmr

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2023

On wrestler Bajrang Punia returns his Padma Shri award, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said: "Their awards are their right. They shouldn't return it they should keep it and keep playing their sport. If they have an issue then they should put forward their stance while being in the sport. Neither they should return their award nor they should stop playing."

#WATCH | Ambala: On wrestler Bajrang Punia returns his Padma Shri award, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij says, "Their awards are their right. They shouldn't return it they should keep it and keep playing their sport. If they have an issue then they should put forward their stance… pic.twitter.com/UEc6jHBzxk

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2023

"These are not good signs for both the sports industry and the cause of women empowerment. Slogans like 'Khelo India' and 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' sound hollow today. While we will support their (wrestler Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia) fight for justice, I urge them to reconsider their decision to retire from wrestling and return the Padma Shri," said Congress leader Deepender S Hooda.

VIDEO | "These are not good signs for both the sports industry and the cause of women empowerment. Slogans like 'Khelo India' and 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' sound hollow today. While we will support their (wrestler Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia) fight for justice, I urge them to… pic.twitter.com/auDWvRH5M9

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 23, 2023

Sakshi, sad and emotional, sobbed as she exited the venue after announcing her resignation during a news appearance in the national capital. During the press conference, the renowned wrestler placed her shoes on the table to declare her intention to retire from wrestling. 

"We slept for 40 days on the roads and a lot of people from several parts of the country came to support us. If Brij Bhushan Singh's business partner and a close aide is elected as the president of WFI, I quit wrestling," she said.

A day after Sakshi's move, India's top wrestler Bajrang Punia stated on Friday that he is returning his Padma Shri after the aide of previous WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was elected president of the Federation.

Virender Singh, commonly known as Goonga Pehalwan, has said that he will also return his Padma Shri award on the lines of wrestler Bajrang Punia after wrestler Sakshi Malik quit wrestling following the results of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president elections.