Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh claims allegations boosted his popularity

MAHENDRAGARH: BJP functionary and former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Sunday said allegations of molestation by women wrestlers made him a nationally recognised figure and boosted his popularity in Haryana.

Singh was acquitted by a Delhi court on Aug 3 in the sexual harassment case filed by six women wrestlers. Congress MLA and CWG gold medallist Vinesh Phogat, one of the complainants, had earlier said that the wrestlers were “deeply saddened” by the verdict and had instructed their lawyers to appeal at the earliest.

Speaking at a felicitation ceremony for international kabaddi player Sachin Tanwar in Patheda village near here, Singh said, “Nobody invites them anymore. They made me famous, so there is no reason for me to be angry with them.”

Referring to the wrestlers being honoured at public programmes earlier and receiving lakhs of rupees, he said their circumstances had changed. Drawing a Ramayana analogy, Singh said Kaikeyi had become an important part of the story through which Lord Ram attained a larger identity, and the allegations had similarly established his name across the country.

Singh also recalled hardships in his personal life, saying he had faced difficult phases without accepting defeat. “I have lit the funeral pyres of my five brothers and a young son. I have seen my house being demolished before my eyes,” he said.

He referred to a CBI case dating back to 1996 and alleged that he had been accused of links with underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim, which he denied.