When The Country Was Sad, One IT Cell Was Celebrating: Bajrang Punia

Shortly after joining Congress, wrestler Bajrang Punia came down heavily on the BJP and its IT cell. The Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist said that the day Vinesh Phogat qualified for the finals of the Paris Olympics, the country was happy, but the next day everyone was sad due to the disqualification, and at that time, “one IT cell was celebrating”. He was referring to the IT cell of BJP, against whose former Member of Parliament Brij Bhushan Singh the wrestlers were protesting earlier, accusing him of sexual harassment.

“…What BJP IT Cell is saying today that we just wanted to do politics…We had written to all women BJP MPs to stand with us but they still didn’t come. We are paying to raise the voices of women but now we know that BJP stands with atrocities against women, and all other parties stand with us. We will work hard to strengthen the Congress party and the nation…The day Vinesh qualified for finals the country was happy but the next day everyone was sad. At that time, one IT Cell was celebrating…,” Bajrang Punia said in the press conference in which Vinesh Phogat was also present. 

Read also: Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia Join Congress

Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia led the protests against former BJP MP and then chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh alleging sexual harassment charges against Singh. After joining the Congress on Friday, the wrestler hitting out at BJP made this comment.

Vinesh Phogat was disqualified before her final gold bout in the recently concluded Paris Olympics 2024 after she was found overweight for the category.

Both wrestlers are expected to contest the upcoming Haryana elections. Bajrang Punia is a Tokyo Games bronze medallist, and Vinesh Phogat is the first woman wrestler to reach the Olympics final.

Read also: Has Ravindra Jadeja Joined BJP?

Phogat is expected to contest from the Julana seat presently held by the Jannayak Janta Party’s Amarjeet Dhanda. The Haryana assembly elections will be held on October 5 and counting of votes will take place on October 8.