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By Mausami Singh: Wrestlers, protesting against the Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, have found support in Haryana’s opposition parties and khap panchayats. As top wrestlers camp at Jantar Mantar over protest against the WFI chief, several top political leaders have marked their presence to express solidarity with the protesting wrestlers.
The dramatic scenes that unfolded in the middle of the night with a tussle between the wrestlers and the Delhi Police last week had a ripple effect in neighbouring Haryana.
Facing the heat
Days after a scuffle allegedly broke out between the wrestlers staging a protest at Jantar Mantar and some police personnel, the politically influential Khaps came out in their support. The Khaps demanded the arrest of WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. With each passing day, the Khattar government in Haryana is facing the heat, even as it knows that there is not much room to manoeuvre.
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Sensing an opportunity, political opponents have sharpened their attack as they realise the BJP government in Haryana could well be on the mat. Amongst politicians who have made a beeline to the protest site are Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Deepender Hooda , Seilja Kumari , INLD chief Abhay Chautala, former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala , Haryana AAP in-charge Sushil Gupta, Anurag Dhanda, and former MP Ashok Tanwar.
Ever since the wrestlers’ protest first began, the Congress has been quick to slam the BJP’s “dual’ speak.
Hoodas keeping close watch
BJP leaders have accused the Hoodas of instigating the wrestlers to take the protest route instead of talks. BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh alleged that “this whole conspiracy was hatched by Congress leader Deepender Hooda and wrestler Bajrang Punia. We have an audio (clip) to prove this. When the time comes, it will be handed over to the Delhi Police.”
Rajya Sabha MP Deepender Hooda, who has visited the protest site several times including once with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, slammed the BJP for making unfounded allegations.
“Three months back when the medal winners had sat on dharna, I had called them to express my solidarity. Then they had said thank you very much for your support, but we have full faith in the government. Their sister Babita Phogat who contested on a BJP ticket, is an active member of the BJP, was meditating with the government and was assured that action will be taken …now the BJP says we have instigated them. This is shameful. Will we not stand with our daughters who have been wronged?” he asked.
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Haryana bags the lion’s share of the medals for the country. During the Congress regime, the Hooda government had brought in several policies including the ‘Padak lao pad paao’ scheme for sportspersons. The medal winners were rewarded with government jobs and Vijender Gupta , Yogeshwar Dutt and Babita Phogat were beneficiaries of the scheme.
“The Hooda government did everything to promote sportsâæbut if this is the way women are being treated then the sports fraternity today is apprehensive. People won’t send their daughters to play,”
Deepender Hooda lamented.
Walking a tight rope
While Haryana Chief Minister reiterated that talks should be the way forward, the public sentiments are mounting in favour of the wrestlers. Even if the ruling BJP has tried to distance itself from the controversy, the trouble for the saffron party is far from over.
“This matter is not related to Haryana; a path of talks should be followed. When talks take place the issue will be resolved. Regarding the allegations, how far they are true or not, FIR has been registered and investigation will happen,” Manohar Lal Khattar said.
The Haryana CM is treading cautiously and doesn’t want to stir the hornet’s nest. But just like the farmers’ protest against farm laws, even this time around the two ruling parties, BJP and JJP, find themselves echoing different views. Deputy CM and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala has already come out in support of the protesting wrestlers demanding strictest possible action.
How will this impact Haryana polls
The Congress have been hoping that the anti-incumbency factor would weigh heavy in the next Assembly elections, which will be held by the end of next year. On the back of these protests, the opposition parties are trying to build up anti-BJP plank.
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Perhaps the political maestro Bhupinder Hooda has clearly defined the line of attack.
‘This is not a political issue, but a fight for justice. Everyone should rise above politics and support the sportspersons because they are not only the pride of Haryana but the entire nation’ he said.
The protest has been increasingly jarring for the BJP government, both at the Centre and in the state. As the events unfold in the national capital, it has garnered immense media attention and was amplified with the Supreme Court intervention. The Supreme Court ordered the registration of an FIR against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, ordered security arrangements for the protesters, and highlighted the involvement of a minor in the case.
The saffron party is wary of the fact that the public spectacle could possibly erode the moral base of the BJP. The BJP is perhaps hoping to wear the storm out as there are no immediate political dividends for opponents to reap.
ALSO READ | Fact Check: This tractor march was NOT in support of the wrestlers’ protest in Jantar Mantar
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