WFI Under Fire: Brij Bhushan Singh, Sanjay Singh, And The Battle For Reform

Recent deep-seated scandals and governance problems at the Wrestling Federation of India have set off several events that have permanently altered the country’s wrestling scene as the Sports Ministry lifted the WFI suspension imposed on December 24, 2023. This decision allows the WFI to resume organizing domestic tournaments and selecting national teams for international competitions.

Up to March 2025, the Indian wrestling scene continues to be shaped by these events, with ongoing arguments on governance, the welfare of athletes, and the sport’s future.

Allegations Against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

In January 2023, some of India’s top wrestlers, such as Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik, accused WFI President and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment and intimidation. The allegations prompted nationwide protests, with athletes demanding that Singh step down and an in-depth probe into operations at the federation.

Government Intervention and Suspension of WFI’s Executive Body

The Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs suspended the executive committee of WFI in May 2023 because of the worsening situation. The Indian Olympic Association was requested to constitute an ad hoc committee overseeing the federation’s activities and inquire into the accusations in detail.

WFI Elections and Sanjay Singh’s Rise

Even after the suspension, on December 21, 2023, elections to the WFI executive committee took place. Sanjay Singh, a close associate of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, was chosen president, with his supporters winning 13 out of 15 executive committee posts. The result was greeted with a chorus of criticism from the wrestling world. Vinesh Phogat called Sanjay Singh Brij Bhushan’s “right-hand man” and was apprehensive about the future of the federation in his hands.

Protests and Intervention by the Government

The result of the election unleashed immediate disgruntlement. Olympic grappler Sakshi Malik showed her displeasure by vowing to resign, and Bajrang Punia returned his Padma Shri award. Referring to the dissatisfaction of the athletes with the federation leadership, Vinesh Phogat also threatened to return her national awards.

The Union Sports Ministry on December 24, 2023, suspended Sanjay Singh’s newly elected WFI administration in reaction to the increasing disenchantment. The ministry alleged that by rushing to stage upcoming wrestling events without adherence to set procedure and policy, the WFI had violated the law.

United World Wrestling’s Suspension and Its Consequences

The WFI’s governance problems were under international scrutiny. United World Wrestling (UWW) suspended the WFI membership in August 2023 for its inability to hold timely elections, cutting India’s representation with wrestlers marching in with the national flag at international competitions. Though the elections finally took place in December 2023, the subsequent suspension of the new body by the Sports Ministry created further governance chaos.

Sanjay Singh’s Takeover of Power

In March 2024, the IOA dissolved its ad hoc committee that had ruled the WFI and entirely handed over control of the federation to Sanjay Singh. The decision was contentious and regarded by most stakeholders and sportspersons as a coup by those closely associated with the outgoing administration, which was implicated in misconduct.

Legal Challenges and Court Interventions

Discontent within the wrestling community resulted in court cases against the WFI leadership. In August 2024, the Delhi High Court reinstated the ad-hoc committee of the IOA to control the affairs of the WFI until the Union government officially withdrew the suspension order. This judicial decision brought to light the continuing crisis in the federation and its management on open and fair management processes.

Impact on Athletes and the Wrestling Community

WFI administrative transition has had colossal implications for the wrestlers. Uncertainty of leadership and governance has impacted training programs, exposure abroad, and morale in general. This kind of drastic measures and overthrows by the top wrestlers, like the withdrawal of national honors, reflect the core issues of the federation and the necessity of reforms at the earliest opportunity.

Demands for Reforms and the Way Ahead

The sequence of events related to the WFI has led to a broader debate on Indian sports federations’ governance and accountability. The athletes and stakeholders are calling for:

• Fair Electoral Processes: Making sure that elections in sports federations are held relatively free from the influence of vested interests.
• Representation of Athletes: Representation of sportspersons in decision-making so that their well-being and interests are addressed.
• Independent Oversight: Creating independent institutions to regulate the activities of sporting federations, hold them responsible, and ensure ethical values.
• Zero Tolerance for Misconduct: Zero tolerance for misconduct and harassment, and swift investigation followed by the relevant disciplinary measures against the perpetrators.

It will take holistic reforms to address these issues and restore trust within the wrestling fraternity. The government’s intervention to help these changes is key, as is the participation of the sportspersons to guide the sport to a better future.

The Full Stop

The recent WFI controversy has raised serious administration issues in Indian sports. The corruption charge against former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who resigned on Tuesday, the controversial election of Sanjay Singh, and scores by some top wrestlers all raise the need for bringing systemic reforms into force.

Transparency, accountability, and sportsperson safety are the harbingers of the development and integrity of Indian sports. As things fall into place, the combined forces of the government, judiciary, sportspersons, and civil society will play a vital role in making the sports system fairer and equitable.