Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia join Congress: ‘When we were dragged on road, all parties except BJP, stood with us’

Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia on Friday joined the Congress ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections. In interaction with the journalists, Phogat said that the fight against the former BJP MP and WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh will continue and stated that all parties stood with the wrestlers during the protest against Singh except the BJP.

“The fight is ongoing and the case in the court is ongoing. We won’t give up. We are coming on this platform to serve the country,” Phogat said. Singh is accused of sexual assault on women wrestlers. “When we were dragged on streets, parties except the BJP stood with us,” Phogat added.

The trial in the case began in July, over a year after a chargesheet was filed against Singh in June 2023. The trial court had framed charges against him in May this year, under IPC sections 354 (assault or criminal force with intent to outrage modesty of a woman) and 354A (sexual harassment), after Singh had pleaded not guilty.

The 1,500-page chargesheet against Singh, for alleged sexual harassment, assault and stalking of six women wrestlers, had included statements of at least 22 witnesses from across four states. These included wrestlers, a referee, a coach and a physiotherapist.

“I tried everything to include young girls in the sports. The BJP IT cell had tried to show that we are finished at wrestling. I still contested on different levels including the Olympics,” Phogat said on Friday.

Earlier in the day, Phogat resigned from the Indian Railways citing personal reasons. She was employed as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) with Northern Railways. “At this point in my life, I have decided to separate myself from the railway service and have submitted my resignation to the competent authorities of the Indian Railways,” said the wrestler.

The 30-year-old had quit wrestling following her disqualification from the 50kg gold medal match in the Paris Olympics for being overweight by 100 grams ahead of the final.

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