Former Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan's visit sparks anger on Vinesh Phogat home turf
Rohtak: Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP functionary from Uttar Pradesh,
, visited Charkhi Dadri -- the home district of Olympian wrestler
-- on Sunday, sparking anger and controversy, particularly among local khap panchayats.
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Brij Bhushan arrived in Dadri's Baund Kalan village amid heavy security on the invitation of Rajput Sabha to felicitate wrestler Rachna Parmar, who recently won gold at the U-17 Asian Championship in Vietnam. BJP leader and Olympic medallist Yogeshwar Dutt was also honoured at the event.
Brij Bhushan said that India has yet to win a gold medal in wrestling at the Olympics and proposed that Dutt be entrusted with this responsibility.
Before Brij Bhushan arrived, local BJP MP Chaudhary Dharambir from Bhiwani-Mahendragarh constituency and Dadri MLA Sunil Sangwan attended the event briefly. However, both leaders left before Brij Bhushan's arrival, citing time constraints.
Several khap panchayats opposed his visit. Phogat Khap, which has been vocal in supporting Vinesh Phogat since the wrestlers' protest against Brij Bhushan, condemned his presence in Dadri.
Phogat Khap secretary Kuldeep Phogat, BKU (Youth) state president Ravi Azad and Krishna Phogat said Rachna Parmar made the country proud and should be celebrated "but inviting someone like Brij Bhushan, who is accused of disrespecting women wrestlers, sends a highly negative message to society".
Nehra Khap from Rohtak also objected to Brij Bhushan's participation. Its Youth national president, Sandeep Nehra, said: "Brij Bhushan's presence in Dadri is inappropriate.
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He has insulted Vinesh Phogat and other female wrestlers. His participation hurts the sentiments of the local people."
In response to the backlash, Rajput Sabha's Charkhi Dadri district in charge Pawan Sanjarwasiya defended the event, saying: "The programme is meant to honour a farmer's daughter who has brought pride to the nation. Only a few self-proclaimed leaders and disruptive elements are opposing the event.
The Panwar Batisi Khap is fully ready to welcome Brij Bhushan."
He warned that any attempts to disrupt the event would be dealt with strictly.
This event has deepened the divide between khap leadership and BJP's local and central figures, especially in light of the ongoing concerns over the treatment of women athletes. Vinesh Phogat and several other wrestlers previously led protests demanding action against Brij Bhushan over allegations of misconduct.
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