The akhadas (traditional wrestling centres) of Delhi and the national capital region are not only sought after for winning medals at the national and international level, but also for managing elections. As the elections for Delhi assembly are drawing closer, demand for bouncers and wrestlers across the city is growing.
Nitin Kumar, a local wrestler from south Delhi, said: ‘Apart from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, there are many famous akhadas in city, which provide the services of their wrestlers to the politicians during elections.’
Kumar added through bouncers politicians distribute money to voters in an attempt to buy votes for party candidates.
A wrestler from Jasram Akhada in Harkesh Nagar, on condition of anonymity, said: ‘Delhi Election Commission is making all its efforts to check the flow of money, musclemen and liquor, but at same time we are getting calls from party candidates who want to hire wrestlers and guards to flaunt their muscle power.’
‘Many candidates try to influence voters through musclemen. Earlier, wrestlers accompanied political leaders during campaigns, but now, some candidates have started hiring bouncers to lure voters,’ he added.
Meanwhile, Kumar added, ‘During the last assembly elections, I and many of my friends were hired by many party leaders. We were given Rs 3,000 per day for acting as the security guards during campaigning. We were paid the money because of our physical built.’
‘Our job is to accompany candidates during election rallies and campaigning. We found it as the best source of income during the campaign and this year too we are getting calls from the candidates and politicians,’ he said. Most wrestlers are called from Haryana, Kumar informed.
Almost all akharas in Rohtak wear a deserted look these days because most wrestlers have been hired for elections.
Sunder Chauhan, a wrestler said, ‘Every wrestler wants to prove himself over here, we are in great demand as every leader needs a wrestler for his security.’
Nitin Kumar, a local wrestler from south Delhi, said: ‘Apart from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, there are many famous akhadas in city, which provide the services of their wrestlers to the politicians during elections.’
Kumar added through bouncers politicians distribute money to voters in an attempt to buy votes for party candidates.
A wrestler from Jasram Akhada in Harkesh Nagar, on condition of anonymity, said: ‘Delhi Election Commission is making all its efforts to check the flow of money, musclemen and liquor, but at same time we are getting calls from party candidates who want to hire wrestlers and guards to flaunt their muscle power.’
‘Many candidates try to influence voters through musclemen. Earlier, wrestlers accompanied political leaders during campaigns, but now, some candidates have started hiring bouncers to lure voters,’ he added.
Meanwhile, Kumar added, ‘During the last assembly elections, I and many of my friends were hired by many party leaders. We were given Rs 3,000 per day for acting as the security guards during campaigning. We were paid the money because of our physical built.’
‘Our job is to accompany candidates during election rallies and campaigning. We found it as the best source of income during the campaign and this year too we are getting calls from the candidates and politicians,’ he said. Most wrestlers are called from Haryana, Kumar informed.
Almost all akharas in Rohtak wear a deserted look these days because most wrestlers have been hired for elections.
Sunder Chauhan, a wrestler said, ‘Every wrestler wants to prove himself over here, we are in great demand as every leader needs a wrestler for his security.’