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Time of India
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Former Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan's visit sparks anger on Vinesh Phogat home turf
Sat Singh | tnn Rohtak: Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP functionary from Uttar Pradesh, , visited Charkhi Dadri -- the home district of Olympian wrestler -- on Sunday, sparking anger and controversy, particularly among local khap panchayats. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Brij Bhushan arrived in Dadri's Baund Kalan village amid heavy security on the invitation of Rajput Sabha to felicitate wrestler Rachna Parmar, who recently won gold at the U-17 Asian Championship in Vietnam. BJP leader and Olympic medallist Yogeshwar Dutt was also honoured at the event. Brij Bhushan said that India has yet to win a gold medal in wrestling at the Olympics and proposed that Dutt be entrusted with this responsibility. Before Brij Bhushan arrived, local BJP MP Chaudhary Dharambir from Bhiwani-Mahendragarh constituency and Dadri MLA Sunil Sangwan attended the event briefly. However, both leaders left before Brij Bhushan's arrival, citing time constraints. Several khap panchayats opposed his visit. Phogat Khap, which has been vocal in supporting Vinesh Phogat since the wrestlers' protest against Brij Bhushan, condemned his presence in Dadri. Phogat Khap secretary Kuldeep Phogat, BKU (Youth) state president Ravi Azad and Krishna Phogat said Rachna Parmar made the country proud and should be celebrated "but inviting someone like Brij Bhushan, who is accused of disrespecting women wrestlers, sends a highly negative message to society". Nehra Khap from Rohtak also objected to Brij Bhushan's participation. Its Youth national president, Sandeep Nehra, said: "Brij Bhushan's presence in Dadri is inappropriate. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He has insulted Vinesh Phogat and other female wrestlers. His participation hurts the sentiments of the local people." In response to the backlash, Rajput Sabha's Charkhi Dadri district in charge Pawan Sanjarwasiya defended the event, saying: "The programme is meant to honour a farmer's daughter who has brought pride to the nation. Only a few self-proclaimed leaders and disruptive elements are opposing the event. The Panwar Batisi Khap is fully ready to welcome Brij Bhushan." He warned that any attempts to disrupt the event would be dealt with strictly. This event has deepened the divide between khap leadership and BJP's local and central figures, especially in light of the ongoing concerns over the treatment of women athletes. Vinesh Phogat and several other wrestlers previously led protests demanding action against Brij Bhushan over allegations of misconduct. MSID:: 122279144 413 |
Hindustan Times
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Khaps, farmer unions to protest Brij Bhushan's visit at wrestler's felicitation
Representatives of various Khap panchayats and farmer organisations have announced that they will show black flags to Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, former chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), during his visit to Bond Kalan village on Sunday. Singh is expected to attend a felicitation ceremony honouring Asian gold medallist wrestler Rachna Parmar. Phogat Khap's acting president, Krishan Phogat, objected strongly, stating, 'Brij Bhushan's name has come up in a sexual harassment case that is currently under judicial consideration. Such individuals should not be welcomed at social gatherings.' (HT File) Parmar recently won a gold medal at the Under-17 Asian Wrestling Championship held in Vietnam. The event's organisers had extended invitations to Bhiwani-Mahendergarh MP Dharambir Singh, Dadri BJP MLA Suneel Sangwan, and Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to participate in the celebration. However, opposition to Singh's presence has been mounting. Phogat Khap's acting president, Krishan Phogat, objected strongly, stating, 'Brij Bhushan's name has come up in a sexual harassment case that is currently under judicial consideration. Such individuals should not be welcomed at social gatherings.' He also accused Singh of targeting former wrestler Vinesh Phogat. 'He ran a smear campaign against our daughter, Vinesh. His presence only seeks to divide the community. The BJP MLA and MP should refrain from attending if they support him,' he said. Echoing similar concerns, Athgama Khap chief Ranbir Singh said the organisers should reflect on their decision to invite Singh to the event. On the other hand, Pawan Kumar, media coordinator of the Charkhi Dadri Rajput Mahasabha, criticised the protest calls. He said, 'Some self-styled leaders are trying to politicise the visit. Rachna Parmar, like many others, belongs to the farming community, and there is no widespread resentment in the area.' Tensions remain high ahead of the ceremony, with both sides standing firm on their views regarding Brij Bhushan's participation.
The Print
06-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Khap Panchayats rally for legal sanctity after HC's suo motu push. ‘We're backbone of rural justice'
The high court bench, comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel, initiated the PIL on 1 July, 2025, to address the non-implementation of Chapter X of the Mediation Act, 2023, particularly Sections 43 and 44, which provide for community mediation to resolve interpersonal disputes such as those between neighbours, families, and communities. The meetings are spurred by the Punjab and Haryana High Court's suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking responses from the Centre, the governments of Punjab and Haryana, and the Chandigarh administration on integrating traditional institutions like Khap Panchayats into the legal framework for community mediation under the Mediation Act, 2023. Gurugram: In a significant development in Haryana, several Khap Panchayats across the state have convened urgent meetings in districts like Rohtak, Jind, and Hisar over the past week, where their leaders have sought to secure legal sanctity for their decisions. During the proceedings, Chief Justice Nagu emphasised the potential of community mediation, stating, 'Community mediation holds significant potential for resolving interpersonal disputes, such as those between neighbours, families, and communities. Despite being highly effective in delivering inexpensive and speedy resolution of disputes at the grassroots level, community mediation has not been enforced so far.' The court suggested that formalising Khaps' role under the Mediation Act could transform them into effective mediators, provided their practices align with constitutional norms. The Bench noted that, 'The Khap Panchayats in the rural Haryana exercise significant social influence within the community they represent and exercise a form of social governance in their respective areas.' The court directed the states, Union Territory, and the Centre to file their responses by 5 August 5, when the matter is next scheduled for hearing. Also read: After success in metros, SC panel & NALSA working on module to train community mediators in villages Demand for legal sanctity The high court's initiative has galvanised Khap Panchayats, with leaders viewing it as a historic opportunity to formalise their dispute resolution mechanisms. In Rohtak, the Phogat Khap held a large gathering on Wednesday, where leaders unanimously demanded legal recognition for their decisions. Kitab Singh, a senior leader of the Phogat Khap, told The Print, 'Giving legal responsibility to Khap Panchayats is a commendable step. Our decisions are rooted in community consensus and aim to maintain harmony. Legal recognition will strengthen our ability to resolve disputes peacefully and swiftly.' He highlighted Khaps' historical role in resolving disputes over land, marriage, and social conflicts, often preventing escalation to formal courts. In Jind, the Kandela Khap convened a meeting on Thursday. The Kandela Khap chief, Tek Ram Kandela, told ThePrint Friday, 'For centuries, Khap Panchayats have been the backbone of rural justice, settling disputes with fairness and community welfare in mind. The high court's move is a chance to formalise our role, ensuring our decisions carry legal weight while respecting constitutional values.' In Hisar, the Satrol Khap echoed similar sentiments, with its chairman Satish Chander noting while speaking to ThePrint, 'We welcome the court's initiative. Our mediation practices are community-driven, and with legal backing, we can bridge the gap between traditional and modern justice systems.' He said that during its meeting the Khap has also called for clear guidelines to ensure Khap decisions align with constitutional principles, particularly on issues like gender equality and fundamental rights. The high court's PIL has sparked a debate on integrating traditional institutions into India's legal framework. The move raises concerns about aligning traditional authority with constitutional norms. P.K. Sandhir, a noted criminal lawyer from Haryana, said Khap Panchayat is a very loosely defined term in Haryana and hence it would become difficult to say which panchayat is Khap and which is not. 'There are Khaps representing a particular caste. Also, there are Khaps representing a group of villages. We have often seen in disputes where couples have married of their will against the families, the Khap from where the girl belongs comes out with one edict while the one from where the boy belongs has an altogether different decision,' he told ThePrint. He further said that giving legal sanctity to the Khap Panchayats would also amount to usurping the powers of the legislature. 'When the legislature has passed the Mediation Act, 2023, and included a chapter on community mediation, they must have had something in mind on what they meant for the community in the Act. Let the government come with the rules and say what did the legislature meant by community mediation. Even if they meant including Khaps, the question is whether the legislature would like to give this task entirely to the Khap Panchayats or just include one or some members in the community mediation set-ups,' Sandhir said. Ramesh Dalal, president of the Dalal Khap, however, said that medition was the basic role of the Khap Panchayats for ages and they should be given legal sanctity. 'Khap Panchayats have been unduly demonised as Talibani bodies by Haryana in certain controversial cases, particularly of honour killings, without going into the details. The fact of the matter is that Khaps give decisions based on consensus,' Dalal said. Controversial legacy of Khap Panchayats While Khap leaders advocate for legal recognition, their past decisions have often drawn criticism for clashing with constitutional values. Khap Panchayats have been associated with controversial rulings, including demands for bans on live-in relationships, opposition to inter-caste and same-gotra (clan) marriages, and enforcing social boycotts against individuals or families deemed to have violated community norms. In March this year, the Banian Khap that met at Danoda village of Haryana had given a call for social boycott of 'live-in' couples in the presence of a minister Krishan Bedi. In another instance, the Sangwan Khap led by Independent MLA Sombir Sangwan had ordered 'Hukka-Paani Band' (ostracisation) of nine families in Charkhi village of Haryana in July 2023 for 'disobeying' the Panchayat's edict of not sowing paddy in the village. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: Khap calls for 'social boycott, ban' on live-in relationships in Haryana minister's presence
