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Journalism of Courage
At a time when various Opposition parties and civil society organisations are reaching out to wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP’s Kaiserganj MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment by seven women wrestlers, is planning to make a show of strength at a rally in Ayodhya on June 5. But, the Ayodhya BJP unit has distanced itself from the rally.
Brij Bhushan is set to address the Jan Chetna Maha Rally at the Ram Katha Park in Ayodhya, where sadhus as well as experts in law, education, and social work have been invited from several states. The rally is being held at a time when the Delhi Police has registered two FIRs against the MP. Since the FIRs were filed, Singh had been staying away from political programmes. But, he has been touring different districts of UP’s Awadh region, including Gonda, Ayodhya, Bahraich and Basti, over the past week to invite people to the Ayodhya rally.
“The BJP is not associated with the rally. We’ll participate only if the leadership asks us to. So far, we have received no such directions,” said BJP’s Ayodhya district president Sanjeev Singh.
Another senior BJP leader from Awadh said, “Party workers won’t join the rally because Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is organising it in his capacity.”
Sanjiv Singh, a representative of the Kaiserganj MP, said, “It is not a political rally. At the grand rally, there will only be a discussion with sadhus and intellectuals on how to deal with those who misuse law to defame somebody.”
The MP’s associate said people who level false allegations are currently booked under IPC Section 182 (false information with intent to cause public servant to use his lawful power to the injury of another person) but the punishment is not commensurate with the crime. “Action provided under IPC Section 182 is insufficient. At the rally, a demand will be raised to amend the law and make the punishment in such cases severe,” he said, adding that the allegations against Brij Bhushan were false. He also claimed that the fraternity of sadhus issued the rally call and the MP was only making the arrangements.
The BJP has so far not acted against the MP and, according to sources, has not even issued him a show-cause notice. Last week, Singh attended an executive committee meeting of the BJP’s Awadh unit in Lucknow where discussions were held on preparations for the party’s Mahasampark Abhiyan from May 30 to mark nine years of the Narendra Modi government.
But sources in the BJP said many party leaders were uncomfortable about the Kaiserganj MP and his rally. “He is preparing to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections again. Hence, this rally can be seen as a damage-control exercise and an attempt to seek the support of the people and the sadhu community,” said a BJP leader.
