The case of allegations of sexual exploitation against the President of Wrestling Federation of India Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has also created a stir in the political corridor. Even though the wrestlers have postponed the protest for the time being after talks with the Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, but in the coming days, this controversy may further escalate. Difficulties may arise for the Bharatiya Janata Party in this whole controversy.
At the political level, BJP may have to bear its loss. In such a situation, let us know what has happened in this matter so far? How many players are against Brijbhushan and how many are in his favor? Why is it getting difficult for the BJP?
- On Wednesday (January 18), around 30 wrestlers including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik sat on a dharna. He demanded the dissolution of the Wrestling Federation of India. Wrestlers alleged that president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and several coaches sexually assaulted women players.
- Brijbhushan Sharan Singh came in front of the media after the allegations leveled by the players. He rejected all the allegations. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said that if the allegations are proved true then I will be hanged. At the same time, he accused the players of not participating in the trials. Brijbhushan Sharan Singh said that recently Bajrang and Sakshi went to meet me, then there was no problem.
- The protesting players have got the support of Congress as well as Left parties, Aam Aadmi Party, Samajwadi Party. Delhi’s Palam 360 Khap Panchayat head Surendra Singh Solanki has also supported the wrestlers. In this matter, the President of the Wrestling Federation should resign with immediate effect, he said. The government should sack him. This is necessary for a fair investigation. The players who are sitting at Jantar Mantar. They cannot simply accuse anyone. He also has his own reputation.
- On 20 January, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur had a long conversation with the protesting wrestlers. After this, he announced that the matter would be investigated and till then the President of the Wrestling Association, Brij Bhushan Singh would step down from his post. After this, the protesting wrestlers also announced to stop their protest. After the meeting, wrestler Bajrang Punia said, Union Sports Minister listened to our demands and assured proper investigation. I thank them and we hope that there will be a fair investigation, so we are withdrawing the protest.
Lok Sabha elections are to be held across the country next year. Immediately after this there are assembly elections in Haryana. Most of the players who opened the front against Brij Bhushan Singh are from Haryana only. Now the Khap Panchayats of Haryana have also supported these wrestlers. Farmers’ organizations have also come out in their support. Most of the protesting players come from the Jat community. This is the reason why now it is becoming a political issue against the BJP.
Political analyst Prof. Ajay Kumar Singh says, ‘Even during the farmer’s movement, a large number of people from the Jat community protested against the central government. Now once again the same atmosphere is being seen. Khap panchayats of western Uttar Pradesh have also come out in support of the wrestlers. In such a situation, if it is not disposed of in time, then difficulties may arise for the BJP in the coming elections. If the Khap Panchayats of Haryana start protesting, then BJP will have to suffer the most. Then this caste dispute will also happen.
At the same time, Brij Bhushan Singh is also a Bahubali leader of Purvanchal. Brij Bhushan comes from the Thakur community and is considered to have a good following among the voters of this class. Brij Bhushan himself has been a six-time MP. His wife has also been a Member of Parliament. His son Prateek is also a two-time MLA. In such a situation, if action is taken against Brij Bhushan, then Thakur voters in UP may get angry. In Purvanchal, the equation can also deteriorate. On the other hand, if action is not taken then the Jats of Haryana and Western UP may get angry.