The Crossbill News Desk
"Indian girls lost, Brij Bhushan won," this is how Rio Olympics medallist wrestler Sakshi Malik responded through her X post, after Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) decided to field the son of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh from the Kaiserganj Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh.
Sakshi Malik had announced his retirement from wrestling last year during protests over the issue.
Karan Bhushan Singh, who is 28 years old, is the youngest of Brij Bhushan’s three sons and succeeded him as the UP Wrestling Association president in February.
The outgoing BJP MP and the former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president, Brij Bhushan has been accused of sexual assault on women wrestles.
Six-time parliamentarian, Brij Bhushan hit headlines early last year when the country's top wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, accused him of sexually harassing women wrestlers and staged a massive protest in the national capital.
Observers say that by nominating Karan, the BJP has taken a middle ground by not fielding Brij Bhushan, while at the same time ensured that it does not lose out on his clout in Kaiserganj and nearby areas. Experts also say that if Brij Bhushan was denied a ticket, it would have led to the Thakur community feeling more alienated. The BJP has faced some backlash in western and other parts of UP over the lack of tickets for leaders from the community.
Another star wrestler, Bajrang Punia who returned his state honour in protest against Brij Bhushan, repost an X post of Pushpendra Singh on the X handle. A part of it read, “They (BJP) need to be thrown out of power otherwise our daughters and sisters won’t be safe.”
A case of sexual harassment and intimidation is pending against Brij Bhushan in a trial court. However, outgoing BJP MP have denied all the allegations leveled against him. He is currently on bail.
Brij Bhushan assumed power influence in the districts of Gonda, Shravasti, Ayodhya, Balrampur and Bahraich. Ticket to his son, illustrates the culture of impunity that keeps men in positions of power, despite being the case of a letdown and a moral failure, experts say.
Sakshi Malik had announced his retirement from wrestling last year during protests over the issue.
Karan Bhushan Singh, who is 28 years old, is the youngest of Brij Bhushan’s three sons and succeeded him as the UP Wrestling Association president in February.
The outgoing BJP MP and the former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president, Brij Bhushan has been accused of sexual assault on women wrestles.
Six-time parliamentarian, Brij Bhushan hit headlines early last year when the country's top wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, accused him of sexually harassing women wrestlers and staged a massive protest in the national capital.
Observers say that by nominating Karan, the BJP has taken a middle ground by not fielding Brij Bhushan, while at the same time ensured that it does not lose out on his clout in Kaiserganj and nearby areas. Experts also say that if Brij Bhushan was denied a ticket, it would have led to the Thakur community feeling more alienated. The BJP has faced some backlash in western and other parts of UP over the lack of tickets for leaders from the community.
Another star wrestler, Bajrang Punia who returned his state honour in protest against Brij Bhushan, repost an X post of Pushpendra Singh on the X handle. A part of it read, “They (BJP) need to be thrown out of power otherwise our daughters and sisters won’t be safe.”
शर्मनाक! पहलवान बेटियों के शारीरिक शोषण के आरोपी बृजभूषण के बेटे को टिकट दिया, पहले किसानों को कुचलने वाले के बाप टेनी को टिकट दिया। यही भाजपा का असली चेहरा है। इन्हें सत्ता से बाहर करना ही होगा वरना किसी की बहन बेटी सुरक्षित नहीं रहेगी। @SakshiMalik @BajrangPunia @Phogat_Vinesh pic.twitter.com/lXUnmoYYA4
— Pushpendra Singh (@PushpendraKisan) May 2, 2024
A case of sexual harassment and intimidation is pending against Brij Bhushan in a trial court. However, outgoing BJP MP have denied all the allegations leveled against him. He is currently on bail.
Brij Bhushan assumed power influence in the districts of Gonda, Shravasti, Ayodhya, Balrampur and Bahraich. Ticket to his son, illustrates the culture of impunity that keeps men in positions of power, despite being the case of a letdown and a moral failure, experts say.
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