Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Sharma has denied sexual harassment allegations made against him by the country’s leading wrestler Vinesh Phogat. The president said that he is ready for an investigation against him and if something of that nature comes up, he is ready to hang himself.
“There have not been any incidents of sexual harassment. If such a thing has happened, then I will hang myself,” said Brij Bhushan Sharan Sharma, quoted by AND ME.
“Sexual harassment is a big accusation. How can I take action when my own name has been dragged into this? I am ready for an investigation,” she added.
The president claimed that the federation had run smoothly for the past ten years and that the problems arose only after the WFI implemented new rules. “Didn’t you have problems with the Federation for the last ten years? Problems arise when new rules and regulations are introduced,” he said.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Sharma has been in charge since 2011. He was elected WFI President for the third time in a row in February 2019.
Hours earlier, the country’s leading fighter, Vinesh Phogat, had accused the president of sexual harassment.
“Women wrestlers have been sexually harassed in the national camps by the coaches and also by WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Sharma,” Vinesh Phogat was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.
“Some of the designated trainers at the national camps have been sexually harassing female fighters for years. The WFI president is also involved in sexual harassment. Many young female fighters have complained and cried about being sexually harassed in the national camps,” he added.
India’s top wrestler, which also includes Bajrang Punia, Sangeeta Phogat, Sonam Malik, Anshu Malik, held a protest at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday against the way the federation is run.
