Top Indian Olympic wrestlers have spoken out against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party for fielding the son of their former federation chief, who is facing charges of sexually harassing female wrestlers. The wrestlers have criticized the decision to nominate Karan Singh, son of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, as a candidate in the national elections despite the allegations against his father.
Last year, scores of Indian wrestlers demanded criminal action against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a BJP lawmaker, for sexual harassment and intimidation. A trial court admitted a case against Singh, who has denied any wrongdoing and is currently out on bail. Despite these serious allegations, Karan Singh is standing as a BJP candidate in his father’s Kaiserganj seat in Uttar Pradesh, a seat his father has won six times before.
Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik expressed her disappointment in a social media post, stating, “Daughters of the country have lost, Brij Bhushan won. By giving an election ticket to his son, they have shattered the aspirations of the country’s millions of daughters.” Fellow Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia also criticized the decision, highlighting the injustice faced by female athletes.
The BJP has not responded to requests for comment on the matter. The ongoing parliamentary election in India has seen widespread criticism of the party’s decision to nominate Karan Singh, with opposition parties accusing the BJP of lacking a moral compass. Despite the controversy, the BJP remains a strong contender in the election, with results expected to be announced on June 4.