Wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia React Sharply as BJP Fields Brij Bhushan’s Son
New Delhi: Indian wrestlers and Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia reacted sharply to Bharatiya Janata Party’s decision to field sexual assault accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s son in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
BJP on Thursday named Karan Bhushan Singh as its candidate from Uttar Pradesh’s Kaiserganj constituency where Brij Bhushan has been a six-time MP.
"Daughters of the country lost, Brij Bhushan won. We all put our careers at stake and slept on the streets for many days in the sun and rain. To date, Brij Bhushan has not been arrested. We were not demanding anything, we were only demanding justice," Malik wrote on X.
BJP’s decision comes in the wake of another alleged sex abuse case involving Prajwal Revanna who absconded to Germany after nearly 3,000 videos of sexual abuse, allegedly recorded by him, surfaced last week.
Posts on X from Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia.
“BJP considers itself the biggest party in the world but out of its lakhs of workers, it gave ticket to Brijbhushan's son, that too when BJP is surrounded by the issue of Prajwal Revanna.
During the agitations in Punjab and Haryana, people here raise a slogan, “Don't expect anything from governments, take care of yourself.”
It is the misfortune of the country that daughters who win medals will be dragged on the streets and the son of the person who sexually exploits them will be honoured by giving him a ticket,” Punia wrote on X.
Malik, Punia and Vinesh Phogat were among the several wrestlers who protested against the former president of Wrestling Federation of India for months in the capital facing political apathy, police brutality and hate campaigns against them.
At least six wrestlers have accused Brij Bhushan of sexual harassment. A minor wrestler had also levelled allegations against Singh under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act), however her complaint was withdrawn amid reports of pressure on her family to back down.
Also read: Despite Sexual Harassment Charges, BJP Unable to Ignore Brij Bhushan, Picks Son for Kaiserganj
Two FIRs against him detail at least 15 incidents of sexual harassment that include 10 episodes of inappropriate touching, molestation that includes running hands over breasts, touching the navel; several instances of intimidation including stalking — and a shared sense of fear and trauma”.
The former WFI president has denied all allegations. His plea for further probe in the case, citing the defence of alibi, was rejected by a Delhi court last week. Brij Bhushan had claimed that he was not in Delhi when one of the wrestlers was allegedly assaulted.
While Brij Bhushan has been denied a ticket, it has remained “within the family” ensuring BJP’s unrelenting support to him despite the serious allegations of several women wrestlers.
His elder son Pratik Bhushan Singh is an MLA while Karan currently heads the Uttar Pradesh wrestling body, NDTV reported.
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