Bajrang Punia, star wrestler and now working chairman of the All India Kisan Congress, received death threats on Sunday. He received the threat through a WhatsApp message which was sent by an international number on the messaging app. In the message, the sender wrote that Bajrang should quit Congress or be ready to face dire consequences.
"Bajrang, quit Congress else it will not be good for you and your family. This is our last message. Before the elections, we will show you what we are. Complain wherever you want, this is our first and last warning."
Punia lodged a complaint at Bahalgarh police station in Sonipat. The police initiated an investigation into the matter.
Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Punia's entry into politics
Olympians Vinesh Phogat and Punia, who were at the forefront of the wrestlers' protest against then WFI chief and former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, entered the political arena on Friday (September 6) by joining the Congress with a vow of "not being scared or backing off".
While Punia gained a role in the Congress farmers' unit, Phogat got a party ticket to contest the election from the Julana assembly segment.
Phogat and Punia met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence and later joined the party at the AICC headquarters in the presence of Congress general secretary in-charge organisation KC Venugopal, AICC general secretary in-charge Haryana Deepak Babaria, Haryana Congress chief Uday Bhan and the party's media and publicity department head Pawan Khera.
While Punia gained a role in the Congress farmers' unit, Phogat got a party ticket to contest the election from the Julana assembly segment.
Phogat and Punia met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence and later joined the party at the AICC headquarters in the presence of Congress general secretary in-charge organisation KC Venugopal, AICC general secretary in-charge Haryana Deepak Babaria, Haryana Congress chief Uday Bhan and the party's media and publicity department head Pawan Khera.
After joining the party, Phogat said the BJP was supporting Singh while the Congress supported the protesting wrestlers when they "were being dragged on the roads" in Delhi.
Punia and Phogat were part of the protest over sexual harassment allegations against former BJP MP and then Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Singh in 2023.
Polling for 90 seats in Haryana will be held on October 5 and the votes will be counted on October 8.
Punia and Phogat were part of the protest over sexual harassment allegations against former BJP MP and then Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Singh in 2023.
Polling for 90 seats in Haryana will be held on October 5 and the votes will be counted on October 8.
(Report by Sunny)
