Amid a whirlwind of controversy, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and prominent lawmaker, stood firm in his denial of sexual harassment charges as his trial commenced in Delhi on Tuesday.
Singh, a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party, refuted claims that he had groped female athletes and solicited sexual favors. “When I have not committed any mistake, why will I admit it?” he asserted to the court, as reported by NDTV.
The 67-year-old was formally charged last June with the sexual harassment and stalking of women wrestlers. The allegations, which surfaced in January, sparked an uproar within the wrestling community, leading to a high-profile protest by some of India’s top wrestlers.
Prominent figures such as world champion medallist Vinesh Phogat and Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik spearheaded the sit-in demonstration, demanding Singh’s resignation. The protest, which lasted for weeks, drew significant media attention and highlighted the pervasive issue of sexual misconduct in Indian sports.
Images of athletes being detained while attempting to march to parliament in May resonated deeply, particularly in northern India’s rural heartlands where wrestling enjoys immense popularity. The movement garnered support from other sports luminaries, including javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and rifle shooter Abhinav Bindra.
In a political twist, Singh has been sidelined from contesting a seat in the current elections, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party opting to field his son instead. As the trial unfolds, the nation’s eyes remain fixed on the courtroom, awaiting the verdict in a case that has shaken the foundations of Indian wrestling.
