Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday met wrestler Bajrang Punia and other wrestlers in Haryana amid the uproar over the election of the new chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and the subsequent suspension of the newly-elected body by the Sports Ministry.
#WATCH | Haryana: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi reaches Virender Arya Akhara in Chhara village of Jhajjar district and interacts with wrestlers including Bajrang Poonia. pic.twitter.com/j9ItihwVvP
Also Read:‘Will return Padma Shri’: Wrestler Bajrang Punia writes to PM Modi after Brij Bhushan aide elected WFI president
These athletes had initially been protesting against BJP’s Brij Bhushan over allegations of sexual harassment. As Sanjay Singh took over the presidency and Brij Bhushan retired from the sport, the Sports Ministry intervened, suspending the newly elected WFI body. The BJP MP had stepped aside earlier in the year amidst allegations of sexual harassment.
#WATCH | Haryana: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi leaves from Virender Arya Akhara in Chhara village of Jhajjar district after interacting with wrestlers including Bajrang Poonia and others. pic.twitter.com/Amx713pfeG
— ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2023
Rahul Gandhi’s interaction with the wrestlers took place at Virendra Akhara in Chhara village, where Bajrang and Deepak Punia began their wrestling journey. He is expected to visit the Mehar Singh Akhara in Dev Colony, Rohtak, later in the day.
Also Read:‘Still fighting, harassment will continue’: Vinesh Phogat weeps as Brij Bhushan aide becomes WFI chief
According to Bajrang Punia, Rahul Gandhi observed their wrestling routine and even engaged in some wrestling himself, emphasizing his interest in understanding a wrestler’s daily routine. He said, “He came to see our wrestling routine…He did wrestling…He came to see the day-to-day activities of a wrestler.”
#WATCH | Haryana: On Congress MP Rahul Gandhi visits Virender Arya Akhara in Chhara village of Jhajjar district, Wrestler Bajrang Poonia says, “He came to see our wrestling routine…He did wrestling…He came to see the day-to-day activities of a wrestler.” pic.twitter.com/vh0aP921I3
— ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2023
The protest against Brij Bhushan Singh was led by prominent athletes like Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, alongside Bajrang Punia.