‘BJP won’t say anything, nor will Brij Bhushan give up… Maybe idea is to drag out… something can go in his favour’: ex-BJP Union minister Birender Singh

A khap panchayat meeting in Haryana on Friday gave the Union government an ultimatum to arrest Brij Bhushan by June 9. What do you anticipate will happen?

SINGH: Actually, on the one hand they (the government) want to slow things down, delay it. That is the reason the police are also clearly showing that they do not want to do this quickly. On the other hand, they (the farmer union leaders) are trying to restart the agitation. In reality, both sides are not reaching anywhere. The agitators say that either you do this (arrest Brij Bhushan) or be prepared for the worst; the other side (the government) is delaying things so that these get sorted automatically. Maybe the government thinks that if the matter gets dragged out, it may not have much effect. During that time, many pressure tactics may follow.

With the contents of the FIR against Brij Bhushan, containing serious allegations against him, now known, do you think some action should follow?

SINGH: See, the party is not going to say anything, nor is he interested in giving up. Rather, he is using it to earn glory for himself in that part of the country where he has some influence. He knows clearly that if he goes on speaking against these protesters (wrestlers and farmer union leaders), he may get the sympathy of at least his own community. When things are moving at a pace that is not appreciated by anybody, there may be a thought that let these be further slowed down so that something at least goes in his (Brij Bhushan’s) favour.

Have you spoken to anybody in the party high command about this?

SINGH: No, but someone in the party should get in touch with me too. All the time, I cannot be the one going to them and asking them to listen to me. Let them also heed my concerns. When they ask me, should there be some action, negotiation or no negotiation… at least some dialogue is there. Dialogue has to be there and should be there.

Do you think this issue will impact the BJP in Haryana in 2024?

SINGH: I met our party chief (J P Nadda) twice. Both times, I told him the party should not treat this as an issue concerning wrestlers from one state. It is a matter of grave concern and the party’s credibility is at stake. I requested him to intervene, talk to the Sports Ministry or whoever can resolve the issue amicably, at the earliest. I said we talk about women’s empowerment, so we should act on it. I also told the party president that even if it is perceived that they (the wrestlers) are working at the behest of some political party or have been instigated by someone, their voices need to be heard and should be heard. They are raising an issue that should be addressed.

But, apparently they (the party) want the complete support of some section of society with this thing… in some particular area (Uttar Pradesh). When somebody speaks something, there will surely be a counter reaction. Let there be two opinions. One would be against another, and that’s about it.

Do you think it is time to relook at how sports bodies function and are controlled?

SINGH: In fact, that is my prime concern. Otherwise, I know the history and background of sports bodies in our country and how they function. The government should take a relook at these sports federations. Our federations are elected bodies, but if somebody takes over a federation at the central level, the person makes sure that every state is represented by people of his or her choice. That cannot be called an elected body. The problem lies with politicians, especially those in power, as well as industrialists and bureaucrats running such federations. The government should introduce reforms in the way sports federations are run.