Congress Defends Support for Wrestlers Amidst Allegations from Former WFI Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera strongly rebutted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s “conspiracy allegations” following the recent entry of wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia into Congress. Singh had suggested that the wrestlers’ political shift confirmed his long-standing claim that the 2023 protests were a politically driven scheme orchestrated by Congress.
Khera defended the party’s stance, asserting, “If more than six athletes come forward seeking help, should the Opposition, the Congress party, ignore this? This might be BJP’s tradition, but Congress doesn’t follow this.” He emphasized that Congress stands with individuals facing injustice, irrespective of their political affiliations.
Singh, who is currently embroiled in allegations of sexual assault that ignited significant protests from wrestlers earlier this year, reiterated his belief that the accusations against him were part of a Congress-led plot, specifically implicating Bhupinder Hooda. “Back in January, I told the media that this was all a conspiracy against me, and now it is clear. The script was written by Congress, and it has been exposed at their party office,” Singh remarked.
The controversy intensified following the announcement that Vinesh Phogat will contest the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections from the Julana constituency as a Congress candidate. In response to Singh’s criticism, Khera rebuked him, stating, “Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh should be ashamed before speaking on this matter. If something wrong happens, we will raise our voices, and we are proud of it. People who are wrong are with the BJP, and those who stand with what’s right are with Congress.”
Khera also addressed recent remarks by current WFI chief Sanjay Singh, who accused Congress and the wrestlers of “desh droh” (treason). Khera dismissed this as a reflection of the BJP’s mindset, asserting, “Labeling any wrongdoing as treason is a BJP mindset. Raising a voice against wrongdoings is not treason; it’s standing for justice.”
Additionally, Khera criticized the BJP’s past support for convicted rapists in the Bilkis Bano case, remarking, “We remember how they stand with the rapists. We know how they welcomed the rapists of Bilkis Bano with garlands.”
Khera also challenged Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent comments on Article 370, questioning why the focus has shifted away from Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and why the region’s full statehood has not been restored.
