Rajdeep Sardesai Says Sorry For Putting Up Arm Wrestling Picture With Brij Bhushan Saran Singh

After facing criticism from many journalists over posting an arm-wrestling picture with Brij Bhushan Saran Singh, sex abuse accused BJP leader and MP, senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai issued an apology.

“Apologies for putting up an arm-wrestling picture with Brij Bhushan Saran Singh: it was in very poor form” Mr Sardesai, who interviewed Mr Singh for his election show ‘Elections On My Plate’ for India Today.

However, he added that it was journalistically important to interview Mr Singh as the former Wrestling body chief and politician wields enormous clout in some parts of Uttar Pradesh and is still a factor with his son contesting the polls.

Mr Singh is currently at the centre of the accusations of sexual harassment by India’s top female wrestlers, including Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat. Seven female wrestlers including one minor have testified against him in an FIR alleging sex abuse.

“On the road, we will interview multiple political  figures involved in the elections, good, bad and ugly. (Along with common people who remain the core of the coverage we do) The intention was not to ‘normalise’ the charges against him (far from it) but ask him the relevant political questions. The picture posted sent out the wrong message and I apologise unreservedly for the same,” Sardesai wrote on X.

The BJP has recently dropped its incumbent Kaiserganj MP and Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, amid allegations of sexual harassment raised by women wrestlers, and made his son, Karan Bhushan Singh party’s candidate.

“On the road… arm wrestling with the Netaji who is in the eye of a storm. With Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in his backyard in Gonda… guess who won?,” Mr Sardesai has written along with the now deleted image.

Reacting to the photo post, Barkha Dutt, his former colleague at NDTV and editor of Mojo Story, wrote that she is horrified to see the post as a woman. “I never comment on anyone else’s work – don’t consider myself superior or entitled to judge – but this is beyond the pale – the man is accused of sexual abuse – who cares who won your joust? And why do you feel it’s ok?,” she wrote on X.

Another senior journalist Swati Chaturvedi wrote: ““Journalists” tell truth to power, hold criminals accountable for their crimes. Why such awe of alleged serial sex pests that Rajdeep indulges in friendly arm wrestling. Creeped out as a woman. Even serial rapists are not beyond the pale. Some “hamam”.”