Vinesh Phogat breaks silence, says she is victim in Brij Bhushan sexual harassment case
Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat revealed on Sunday that she is one of six women who filed sexual harassment complaints against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. She strongly opposed the upcoming National Open Ranking Tournament being held May 10–12 in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh—Brij Bhushan’s hometown and political stronghold.
The timing could not be more significant. This tournament marks Phogat’s first competitive appearance since the Paris 2024 Olympics and serve as a critical qualifier for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. Yet she now fears the venue compromises fairness and her safety.
In a 4-minute-22-second Instagram video, Phogat said circumstances forced her to break silence despite SC guidelines protecting victim identity. “I myself am one of those six victims who filed a complaint, and our testimonies are still ongoing,” she stated.
The tournament is being organized at Nandini Nagar, Gonda—at a private college owned by Brij Bhushan himself. Phogat warned that referees, point allocations, and match outcomes could be controlled by his people. “Which referee will officiate which bout, how many points will be awarded… everything can be controlled by his people,” she wrote on X.
She added that even as a Congress MLA from Julana, Haryana (elected 2024), she cannot guarantee 100% performance under pressure in that environment. “It is very tough for a girl to perform under these circumstances,” Phogat said.
WFI president Sanjay Singh refused to change the venue but offered a “personal guarantee” for Phogat’s safety, claiming the federation has honest referees. Brij Bhushan continues to deny all harassment charges.
What This Really Means For You
If you follow Indian wrestling or support athletes’ safety, this news changes everything. A high-profile comeback tournament now faces serious bias allegations—and the government’s inaction puts athlete welfare in question. For young female wrestlers across India, this signals that even Olympian MPs feel unsafe competing in biased environments. Your sporting ecosystem’s credibility is at stake. If nothing changes, trust in national selection processes may erode further.
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The Bottom Line
Vinesh Phogat just put her career and reputation on the line to expose what she calls a rigged system. If the government does nothing, every Indian athlete competing in Gonda will carry that shadow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is Vinesh Phogat opposing the Gonda tournament?
A: She says the venue is Brij Bhushan’s hometown and his private college, making fair refereeing impossible.
Q: How many victims filed complaints against Brij Bhushan?
A: Six female wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, filed sexual harassment complaints.
Q: When and where is the tournament taking place?
A: National Open Ranking Tournament, May 10–12, 2026, at Nandini Nagar, Gonda, Uttar Pradesh.
References
The Tribune — “I’m one of six sexual abuse victims: Wrestler Vinesh Phogat targets Brij” — tribuneindia.com
Indian Express — “Vinesh Phogat breaks silence, says she is victim in Brij Bhushan sexual harassment case” — indianexpress.com
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