Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Sunday claimed that the allegations made against him by women wrestlers had turned him into a “hero” in Haryana and made him “immortal” around the world.
Brij Bhushan made the comments during a felicitation ceremony in Mahendragarh, Haryana, held to honour kabaddi player Sachin Tanwar after his promotion as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in the Rajasthan Police.
Several women wrestlers accused Brij Bhushan of sexual harassment in 2023, leading to months of protests involving some of India’s leading wrestlers. A Delhi court acquitted him earlier this month, although the wrestlers have said they intend to challenge the verdict.
Referring to the women wrestlers from Haryana who had accused him, Brij Bhushan said he held no anger towards them because, according to him, their allegations had ultimately increased his public recognition.
“Just as Kaikeyi earned infamy but made King Ram into Lord Ram, these wrestlers earned infamy but made me immortal across the world. That is why I am not angry with them. They took me out of Uttar Pradesh and made me a hero in Haryana as well. People are now inviting me to events and honouring me,” he said.
He also mocked the women wrestlers, claiming that some of them once received farewell ceremonies costing Rs 2 lakh, but now “they are not worth even a quarter of a rupee” wherever they appear.
Recalling his time at the Wrestling Federation of India, the BJP leader claimed that some wrestlers had opposed rules he introduced to safeguard junior athletes and wrestlers from financially weaker families.
Brij Bhushan said he could have resolved the controversy by reversing those decisions, but argued that doing so would have disadvantaged wrestlers who lacked political influence or powerful individuals to advocate for them.
