In a shocking incident that was being filmed live, Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Saturday slapped a young wrestler during the Under-15 National Wrestling Championship in Ranchi.
The wrestler, reportedly stopped from participating in the championship as he was above 15 years, had gotten into an argument with the BJP MP as he arrived on stage. Singh, the BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Kaiserganj Lok Sabha constituency, lost his cool and slapped the wrestler as he refused to budge from the stage.
Singh was sharply criticised for his behaviour after the video of the incident went viral on social media. Several wrestlers have expressed their indignation over Singh’s behaviour, demanding an immediate apology from him.
Several Twitter users condemned the MP’s behaviour and slammed the ruling BJP in Jharkhand. “The young wrestler should have behaved with this thug politician the same way he behaved with him. These idiots are high on arrogance of power,” wrote a Twitter user. “Can a public servant (BJP MP) manhandle the common man? What message the BJP is sending to the country?” tweeted another.
