Gonda, Uttar Pradesh – Decorated wrestler Vinesh Phogat has publicly stated that the Indian government will be held responsible should any "untoward incident" occur to her or her team during the forthcoming National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda. This declaration comes as Phogat prepares for her comeback after an extended hiatus of nearly 18 months, voicing significant apprehensions regarding potential "biased officiating" at the event.
Phogat explicitly linked the venue, Gonda, to Brij Bhushan Singh, a figure she has accused of sexual harassment and with whom she is involved in ongoing legal proceedings. She described the environment as "hostile" and acknowledged the immense mental pressure this situation creates, particularly given her role as one of the complainants in a sexual harassment case against Singh. Phogat’s public statement, made via a video message, invokes the Supreme Court's guidelines on protecting victims' identities and dignity.
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Phogat is slated to compete in the 57kg weight class at the Gonda tournament. This event marks a shift in her weight category, her fifth such adjustment, and her first outing in the 57kg division.
The current situation is a continuation of a protracted standoff between prominent wrestlers and the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) concerning allegations of sexual harassment against Singh. Multiple women wrestlers have lodged formal complaints, leading to active legal investigations.
Singh has reportedly denied the allegations leveled against him. Phogat also referenced past statements by Singh where he allegedly claimed to have murdered a person.
