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The recent political developments surrounding prominent Indian wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia have ignited a fierce debate about the motives behind their months-long protest against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Singh, a BJP leader, has vehemently maintained that the wrestlers' movement, which demanded action against him for alleged sexual harassment, was orchestrated by the Congress party as a political conspiracy. This assertion gained further fuel when Phogat and Punia, both distinguished athletes, joined the Congress party on September 6, ahead of the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections.
Singh, in a statement to news agency ANI, reiterated his claims that the Congress party, particularly leaders Bhupinder Hooda, Deepender Hooda, Priyanka Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi, were instrumental in instigating the protests at Jantar Mantar, Delhi. He argued that the wrestlers' decision to join Congress validates his earlier accusations, highlighting the political motivations behind their actions. This statement comes as a direct response to the wrestlers' entry into the political arena, signifying a shift from their focus on sports to active participation in the electoral process.
Singh's accusations, however, have been met with strong rebuttals from the wrestlers and Congress. The wrestlers have consistently maintained that their protest was driven by a genuine desire for justice and to safeguard the dignity of women athletes in the country. They allege that Singh's actions constituted sexual harassment, and they sought accountability for his alleged misconduct. Congress, in turn, has defended the wrestlers' motivations, emphasizing their commitment to fighting for women's rights and ensuring a safe and just environment for athletes in India.
The wrestlers' decision to join Congress, particularly in the context of the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections, has added a significant political dimension to the ongoing controversy. Phogat, who has been fielded as a Congress candidate in the Julana constituency, and Punia, who has been appointed as the working president of the All India Kisan Congress, are expected to play a pivotal role in the party's electoral campaign. This move is seen as a strategic attempt by Congress to leverage the wrestlers' popularity and connect with the concerns of athletes and women voters.
The controversy surrounding the wrestlers' protest and their subsequent entry into politics has brought into sharp focus the intersection of sports and politics in India. Singh's allegations of a political conspiracy and the wrestlers' insistence on a genuine fight for justice have fueled a heated debate about the true nature of their actions. The upcoming Haryana Assembly elections are likely to provide a platform for these issues to be further scrutinized, as the wrestlers and Congress engage in a political battle to defend their respective stances.
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