Thousands throng the streets, chanting "Sher Aaya", as flower showers and fireworks mark Brij Bhushan's grand return to Gonda

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former head of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), was given a lavish welcome on Thursday when he returned to his hometown of Gonda for the first time following his acquittal in the sexual harassment case brought by wrestlers. Flower petals were thrown on his convoy using excavators.

When Singh's chartered plane touched down at the international airport in Ayodhya, his fans greeted him with chants, drums, and music. Excavators were used to shower his convoy with flower petals as thousands of supporters lined the route from the airport. His convoy was accompanied by hundreds of cars, shouting "Sher Aaya" (the lion has arrived) and setting off fireworks. The BJP leader used to represent Gonda's Kaisarganj seat in the Lok Sabha.

Singh took an open jeep to the Hanumangarhi temple in nearby Ayodhya, where he prayed outside and asked the seers for blessings. Prateek Bhushan Singh, his older son and Gonda Sadar MLA, said that "truth has prevailed" while waving a mace from the car's sunroof during the parade. Following his visit to Hanumangarhi, Singh went to the Nandini Nagar Sports Stadium, where a sizable demonstration known as "Satyamev Jayate" was being held. He also offered special prayers at the Nandini Gaumata temple before to arriving at the location.

For the event, elaborate plans were prepared, including a communal feast. More than 500 batuks from Ayodhya were invited to greet Singh, and over 40 quintals of laddoos were made. Later in the day, Singh was supposed to speak to the crowd.