Congress MLA and former wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Thursday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the functioning of sports federations, questioning how he would participate in such bodies and alleging that people accused of exploiting women athletes continued to enjoy support. Phogat made the remarks while responding to questions over sports administration and the political leadership’s involvement in sporting bodies. Her comments revived the controversy surrounding the wrestlers’ protests and allegations of sexual harassment against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
“How will the Prime Minister participate? Will he contest elections? Will he become the president of a federation?” Phogat asked, while questioning the manner in which sporting organisations were being run. She alleged that individuals accused of exploiting women continued to receive political backing and said athletes who raised their voices against wrongdoing had instead been forced to struggle for justice.
Targets sports administration
Phogat, who was among the prominent faces of the wrestlers’ agitation in Delhi, has repeatedly criticised the administration of sports federations and demanded greater accountability in bodies responsible for athletes. The former wrestler said the issue went beyond the functioning of an individual federation and concerned the treatment of sportspersons, particularly women, within the wider sporting establishment.
She questioned why those facing serious accusations continued to wield influence while athletes who spoke out were made to fight prolonged battles. Phogat’s remarks came amid a wider debate over the management of national sports federations and the role of politicians in such organisations. The Congress leader has maintained that athletes should have a stronger voice in the administration of sports and that federations should function transparently and independently.
Wrestlers’ protest back in focus
Phogat, along with Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, had spearheaded protests against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexually harassing female wrestlers during his tenure as WFI chief.
Singh denied the allegations against him. The protests triggered a major political controversy and brought the governance of Indian wrestling under intense scrutiny. The wrestlers had also criticised the Centre over its handling of their complaints and demanded action against the former WFI president. Phogat subsequently entered electoral politics and joined the Congress. She won the Julana Assembly constituency in Haryana in the 2024 elections.
Her latest remarks indicate that the issues raised during the wrestlers’ agitation continue to form an important part of her political criticism of the BJP and the Centre, particularly on questions of women’s safety and accountability in Indian sport.