The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, 03 April 2024-India’s celebrated boxer and Khel Ratna awardee, Vijender Singh, made headlines today as he officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on April 3, in anticipation of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. This move marks a significant shift in Singh’s political allegiance, having previously contested the general elections in 2019 as a Congress candidate from South Delhi, albeit unsuccessfully, losing to BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri.
The induction ceremony took place at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, where Singh was welcomed into the party fold in the presence of notable BJP leaders, including National General Secretary Vinod Tawde, National Media Co-Head Sanjay Mayukh, and senior BJP leader Ram Singh Biduri. Expressing his sentiments on this occasion, Singh stated, “Today I am joining BJP… it is like a ghar wapsi for me. When we would go out for the fight there were issues at the airports but now under this government we are getting all respect.”
Vijender Singh’s illustrious career in boxing has left an indelible mark on the nation’s sporting history. Notably, he clinched India’s first-ever Olympic medal in boxing, a bronze, at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, thereby etching his name in the annals of Indian sports. His accomplishments extend beyond the Olympic stage, including a bronze medal at the 2009 World Championships and further accolades in the Commonwealth Games, securing a bronze in 2010 and a silver in 2014.
Beyond the realm of sports, Singh has been an outspoken figure on various political issues. He lent his support to the farmers’ protest in India during 2020–2021, advocating for their rights and concerns. Additionally, Singh joined forces with prominent wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik in protesting against Brij Bhushan Singh, the former chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), in 2023.
Singh’s decision to join the BJP came swiftly after he retweeted a post by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, wherein Gandhi subtly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This move raised eyebrows, particularly as Singh had recently participated in Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra earlier this year. The Congress, in response to Singh’s involvement, had aptly captioned a photo of him with Gandhi as “Punch against hate.”
With his transition to the BJP, Vijender Singh adds a new dimension to his multifaceted persona, aligning himself with a political ideology that resonates with his beliefs and aspirations. As he embarks on this new chapter in his journey, the boxing icon’s foray into politics is poised to make waves in both sporting and political spheres alike.
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