Wrestlers Protest after BJP hands Lok Sabha Ticket to Brij Bhushan's son Karan Singh

Top Olympic wrestlers in India have voiced their disapproval of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for nominating Karan Singh, the son of their former federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, for a seat in the national elections.

This controversy stems from allegations against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh involving sexual harassment charges by female wrestlers.

Despite these serious claims and a trial court admitting a case against him, the BJP has chosen to field his son in the upcoming elections, raising concerns among the wrestling community.

Widespread Criticism and Protest

Last year, a significant protest by scores of wrestlers highlighted the demand for criminal action against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a BJP Member of Parliament, who is out on bail after denying the allegations against him. The decision to nominate his son for the Kaiserganj seat in Uttar Pradesh-a seat previously won six times by Singh-has sparked further outrage.

Sakshi Malik, a 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medalist, expressed her disappointment on social media.

"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," Sakshi Malik wrote on Social Media.

Another wrestler Bajrang Punia recently returned one of the highest civilian awards and expressed his disappointment on the BJP decision on social media.

"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.

The controversy has attracted attention amid the seven-phase parliamentary election which will elect the next Prime Minister of India.