BackAyodhya sadhus to join Brij Bhushan Singh in maha rally; calls for amending POSCO law
Wrestling champions Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and others have been protesting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi since April 23rd.
PremiumPosters featuring Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, wearing his recognizable orange turban, have emerged in Ayodhya, encouraging people to join a "Jan Chetna Maharally" on June 5th.
As per a report by The Print, the rally, organized by seers, saints, and sages, aims to advocate for a dilution of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POSCO) law. Brij Bhushan Singh, who himself has faced allegations of sexual harassment from women wrestlers, is leading the mobilization efforts across Uttar Pradesh.
Notably, wrestling champions Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and others have been protesting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi since April 23rd. A previous protest they held in January resulted in an inquiry, the details of which were not disclosed, and two FIRs were filed, but Singh was not arrested.
Singh, who holds the positions of president of the Wrestling Federation of India and Bharatiya Janata Party MP, enjoys significant backing from various mutts in Ayodhya, where he has strong roots. Despite one of the two FIRs filed against him relating to the alleged sexual harassment of a minor, Singh continues to garner support. His followers refer to him as "netaji," and the upcoming rally is considered a demonstration of his influence and support base.
While the wrestlers, who had expressed their intention to immerse their medals in the Ganga as a form of protest, were forcibly removed from Jantar Mantar, Singh has been actively touring the Awadh and Purvanchal regions to prepare for the upcoming rally. In the past two weeks, he has visited Bahraich, Shravasti, Basti, Gonda, and Balrampur, rallying support and generating enthusiasm for the event, the report noted.
“We want that the law [POCSO] should not be misused and after making such serious allegations, the accused should also have the right to speak. In such a case the respect of the person is lost first. If the person is not found guilty then how will his honour be returned," said Mahant Balram Das of the Sagariya Patti of the Hanumangarhi Temple.
The BJP has refrained from endorsing the protest rally, indicating that it is not supported by the party. Sanjay Shukla, a BJP councillor, stated that the rally has been organized by the saints and not the BJP, and therefore, party workers will not be participating in the event.
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