Watch | BJP MP seen slapping wrestler at an event

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh,  president of the Wrestling Federation of India and a BJP Lok Sabha Member, found himself in an unusual situation on Friday when he slapped a wrestler from Uttar Pradesh on stage during the first round of the Under-15 National Wrestling Championship at the Shaheed Ganpat Rai Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.

The video of the incident was shared extensively on social media.

Many wrestlers from neighbouring states, particularly Uttar Pradesh, reacted angrily and demanded an apology from Singh. The Jharkhand Wrestling Association’s chairman, Bhola Nath Singh, and others, however, intervened and brought the situation to a close.

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Singh, who was the tournament’s special guest, lost his cool after an overage wrestler began arguing with Singh after pushing himself on stage despite being instructed not to. The wrestler, who appeared to be from Uttar Pradesh, was unable to compete because he was older than the 15-year-old age limit. When the wrestler entered the ring, he immediately engaged the Kaiserganj MP in combat. After repeatedly pressing him to step down, Singh lost his cool and slapped the wrestler.

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Following the occurrence, Singh stated that indiscipline will not be tolerated, and that if the wrestler had participated despite his age, it would have sent the other wrestlers the wrong message.

According to Bhola Nath Singh, overage wrestlers competing in tournaments is a major issue that sports officials should recognise and address.