Coach Mahavir Prasad Bishnoi has denied allegations of threatening sexually harassed wrestlers on behalf of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia claimed that Bishnoi and the secretary general of Haryana Wrestling Association, Rakesh, offered bribes to the victims to keep quiet. However, Bishnoi vehemently denied the allegations, stating that he has no ill intentions towards anyone and is being dragged into the controversy because he chose not to take a side in the protests.
Bishnoi has been coaching wrestling for years and was appointed as the Greco Roman coach at the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) at SAI centre in Sonepat. He claims to have helped prepare wrestlers and delivered results during his 16-month tenure. However, he was recently asked to leave the centre a day after joining. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) reportedly did not provide any reason for his removal, leaving Bishnoi feeling humiliated.
Bishnoi has asked SAI officials several times for clarification but has received no answer. He stated that he quit his job with CISF to pursue his passion for wrestling and has been falsely accused in the past as well. He claimed that he was accused of sexual harassment by jealous individuals in the past but came out clean after an internal enquiry by the CISF.
Meanwhile, the WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has not been indicted by the oversight committee formed by the union sports ministry to probe charges of sexual harassment against him, according to sources in the establishment. Wrestlers have sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide justice in the matter.
In conclusion, the allegations of sexual harassment and bribery in wrestling have created a controversy, and the involvement of coaches and officials has come under scrutiny. While Bishnoi has denied the allegations against him, the investigation into the matter continues.