Bihar Ruling Coalition to Hold Candle March for Wrestlers
Representational Image. (File Image)
Patna: The Bihar ruling coalition will take out a candle march in support of wrestlers protesting Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP Lok Sabha member Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accused of sexually harassing women wrestlers, on Saturday.
In the first show of solidarity with the wrestlers in Patna, thousands of leaders, workers and supporters of JD(U), RJD, Hindustani Awam Manch, Congress and the Left will join the march.
RJD spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav said the state government wants stringent action against Singh. “The BJP government should act against Brij Bhushan, accused of sexual abuse and exploitation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should take notice of protesting wrestlers,” he told the media.
Though the participation of chief minister Nitish Kumar, his deputy Tejashwi Yadav and other senior leaders in the march is unconfirmed, the protest assumes significance ahead of a much-awaited Opposition meeting in Patna on June 12 to ensure a united front to challenge Modi in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
In recent months, Kumar has reiterated the need for a united Opposition to defeat the BJP in 2024. Early this week, JD(U) national president Lalan Singh questioned Modi’s silence after the police action against the wrestlers at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. He questioned how Modi could sleep after “unleashing atrocities on the champions”, who won medal for the country.
Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi too had attacked the BJP and Modi for “ignoring” the wrestlers’ protests.
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