Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia has tendered an unconditional apology to wrestling coach Naresh Dahiya for sullying his name during the protest held by the wrestlers against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The Tokyo Games bronze medallist Bajrang — along with Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik — has led a demonstration against Singh by accusing him of sexually harassing several junior women wrestlers.
During the sit-in at Jantar Mantar, in a press interactions on May 10, 2023, Bajrang, one of India’s most prominent wrestlers, had said Dahiya was a rape accused, so he had no right to comment on their protest.
Dhaiya had dragged the Olympic medalist to court and even filed a defamation case against him by saying that he had already been cleared of any wrongdoing by the court.
Punia was issued summons by the court which also granted him bail in the case in the fourth hearing, reported Indian news agency PTI.
Meanwhile, Bajrang tendered his apology and regretted his action on May 17.
“I tender my unconditional apology to Mr Naresh Dahiya, for the wrong and insensitive statement made by me against him during the press conference held at Jantar Mantar during agitation in pubic view,” Bajrang said in his apology statement, a copy of which is in possession of PTI.
“That I deeply regret for the pain and damage caused to the image of Mr Naresh Dahiya, besides pain and hurt caused to the near and dear ones due to the wrong and insensitive statement made by me against him.”
“That I say that Mr Dahiya is a distinguished coach and has provided his best to the nation. That I once again reiterate my regret and issue a heartfelt apology to Mr Dahiya and his loved ones,” the statement read.
Dahiya, who runs an akhara (training centre) for male wrestlers in Delhi’s Shahbad Dairy area by the name of Chhotu Ram Vyayamshaala, has trained CWG gold medallist Vinod (55kg) and wrestlers like Ramesh Guliya (74kg), who had beaten the likes of Sushil Kumar in 2005.
