Power With Purpose

Описание: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is a prominent and polarizing Indian politician and sports administrator born on 8 January 1957 in Bishnoharpur (Gonda district), Uttar Pradesh into a politically active family; his father was Jagdamba Sharan Singh and his mother Pyari Devi, and his upbringing in rural UP influenced his later career in mass politics and community leadership. He studied up to the inter/college level locally and later earned an M.A. and LL.B. from Avadh University, which laid the foundation for his entry into public life as a student leader in the late 1970s and 1980s, an era marked by political awakenings such as the Ram Janmabhoomi movement; he became involved in student union politics and began earning recognition for his leadership among youth in his region. Brij Bhushan began his parliamentary career with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), first being elected to the 10th Lok Sabha in 1991 from Gonda, later winning elections multiple times and representing Gonda, Balrampur and Kaiserganj constituencies in the Lok Sabha, eventually becoming a six-term MP — five terms as a BJP member and one term on a Samajwadi Party ticket (2009) after a brief departure from the BJP; he rejoined the BJP ahead of the 2014 general elections, returning to the party fold and retaining his seat through the 2019 polls. His influence in the Devipatan division (Gonda, Bahraich, Balrampur, Shravasti) is considerable, built not only through electoral success but also extensive social, educational and environmental initiatives, including setting up over 50 educational institutions, launching literacy, health and plantation campaigns, organizing talent exams and community events, and championing local development causes — efforts that have often been described as part of his grassroots connection and public outreach. Singh’s involvement in sports, especially wrestling, has been significant: he was President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for over a decade, and also served in continental wrestling bodies, promoting traditional akhadas and modern forms of the sport; his personal passion for wrestling stems from his youth, and he organized events, dangals and khel melas that boosted local sports engagement. Alongside achievements, Brij Bhushan’s career is steeped in controversy: he has faced criminal charges over the years, including accusations related to rioting, attempt to murder, dacoity and other serious offences, and was also named in the Babri Masjid demolition case of 1992 — though he was acquitted in that matter as courts later cleared many accused after a long legal battle. More recently, his tenure at the WFI was overshadowed by allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation made by women wrestlers, leading to nationwide protests by top athletes demanding action and his resignation; several FIRs were filed, including one under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, although legal processes have been complex and in some cases closure reports were accepted by courts, and the issue remains a defining controversy of his public image. Singh is also known for his strong Hindutva politics and rhetoric, his role in regional caste and community leadership debates, and the political legacy within his family — his wife Ketki Devi Singh has held elected positions and his children, including Prateek Bhushan Singh and Karan Bhushan Singh, are politically active, with roles in state politics and local associations, reflecting a dynastic aspect to his influence. In his personal life, Brij Bhushan is described as having interests in music, poetry, and cultural pursuits, and participates in large public celebrations, including elaborate birthday events and religious festivals that often draw thousands of supporters. Despite intense criticism from opponents and ongoing legal challenges, he continues to assert his commitment to public service and has even indicated his intention to contest future elections, underlining his enduring ambition and prominence in Uttar Pradesh’s political landscape.