New Delhi: Olympic bronze medalist Bajrang Punia has issued an unconditional apology to wrestling coach Naresh Dahiya for making defamatory remarks against him during the 2023 protest against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The apology came on May 17, nearly two years after Punia, alongside fellow wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, led a high-profile protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, accusing Brij Bhushan of sexually harassing multiple junior women wrestlers. During a press conference on May 10, 2023, Punia had alleged that Dahiya himself was an accused in a rape case, claiming that he had “no right” to question the protest.
The accusation led to a defamation suit filed by Dahiya, and the court subsequently issued a summons to Punia. He was later granted bail during the fourth hearing of the case.
In his written apology dated May 17, Punia stated:
“I offer an unconditional apology for the incorrect and insensitive statement I made against Coach Naresh Dahiya during a press conference at the Jantar Mantar protest. I deeply regret the damage caused to his reputation and the pain inflicted on him and his loved ones as a result.”
Punia added,
“Coach Dahiya is a respected figure in Indian wrestling and has made significant contributions to the sport. I sincerely apologize to him and his family.”
Coach Naresh Dahiya, who runs the Chhotu Ram Akhara in Delhi’s Shahbad Dairy area, has trained several top wrestlers including Commonwealth Games gold medalists Vinod (55 kg) and Ramesh Gulia (74 kg).
Reacting to the apology, Dahiya said:
“Just a few months before the protest, these very wrestlers were praising the WFI president. Then suddenly, an unknown person made false allegations against me, which Bajrang repeated publicly. I objected to this and took legal action.”
He added,
“Now that he has apologized, I have accepted it. His lawyer contacted mine to offer the apology. I had no connection with Brij Bhushan. I only visited the federation office a few times for official work. I merely told them they may gradually step away from the protest, but the consequences could fall on the young wrestlers involved. That was all I said.”
An FIR had been filed against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, and the case remains under judicial review.
This development marks a significant moment in the ongoing saga that has gripped the Indian wrestling community since 2023, raising questions about internal politics, accountability, and justice within the sport.
