Rival politicians stage a wrestling showdown during Nag Panchami in Varanasi
During Nag Panchami festivities in Varanasi, Samajwadi Party operative Aman Yadav and BJP councillor Ram Singh Kallu wrestled each other at BHU's Bachau Veer Akhara, ending in a draw and a split cash prize.
In Varanasi, the Nag Panchami celebration included a wrestling match that pitted two local political rivals against each other. Samajwadi Party functionary Aman Yadav and BJP councillor Ram Singh Kallu, both former trainees at the Bachau Veer Akhara, were invited to compete during the event held on the Banaras Hindu University campus. Their previous electoral clash involved Yadav running for the SP and Kallu’s spouse, Geeta Singh, winning the council seat for the BJP.
The fifteen-minute bout featured multiple wrestling maneuvers from each side, but neither participant managed to dominate, leading the referee to declare a draw. The cash prize was subsequently shared equally. Spectators cheered loudly as the two politicians wrestled amid the traditional festivities at the akhara near the ancient Hanuman temple.
Why it matters
The episode highlights how local political rivalries can spill into cultural events, reflecting the intertwining of politics and tradition in Indian public life.
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