Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President and BJP leader, on Sunday comparing the Hooda family with the Pandavas from the Hindu epic Mahabharata said suggested that they will face lasting consequences for jeopardising honour, reported ANI.
"During the Mahabharata, the Pandavas had put Draupadi on stake and lost. The country has not forgiven the Pandavas for this till date. Similarly, the Hooda family will not be forgiven for the gamble they have played by putting the honour of our sisters and daughters at stake," ANI quoted Brij Bhushan as saying.
These remarks come two days after ace grappler Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Poonia announced their decision about joining Mallikarjun Kharge-led Congress party. Congress has fielded Vinesh Phogat from Julana ahead of the Haryana Assembly polls.
Brij Bhushan's retaliation comes a day after wrestler Bajrang Punia extended his support to fellow wrestler Vinesh Phogat. On Saturday, Bajrang Punia said that he will work in the organisation and carry out the responsibility given by the party's 'High Command'. Furthermore, Bajrang Punia denied allegations that wrestlers' protests were backed by the Congress.
"We had nothing to do with politics at that time. We did not allow any politicians on our stage initially...It is their job to set a narrative...There is nothing like that," ANI quoted Bajrang Punia as saying.
Brij Bhushan on Friday suggested that the entire wrestlers' movement was a "conspiracy" against him organised by the Congress party as revealed by Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia's latest move about joining the party.
He further accused Bhupinder Hooda, Deepender Hooda, Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi of leading the wrestler's protest. The former WFI President asserted that that the wrestler's protest that was organised in Jantar Mantar in January last year was not a movement of sportspersons instead was a politically driven antic.
(With inputs from ANI)