Tragedy in Bulandshahr: Rising Kabaddi Star’s Heroic Act Ends in Agony After Rabies Strikes

Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh – What began as a selfless act of kindness by a promising young kabaddi player ended in a nightmare that has sent shockwaves through the nation. The tragic death of 22-year-old Brijesh Solanki, who succumbed to rabies after rescuing a puppy from a drain, is a haunting reminder of how quickly fate can turn and how a single moment can change the course of many lives forever.

The Heroic Rescue That Turned Fatal

It was an ordinary day in Farana village, Khurja, when Brijesh Solanki, known for his athleticism and big heart, heard desperate yelps coming from a nearby drain. A puppy, barely three to four months old, had fallen in and was struggling to escape the filthy, fast-moving water. Without hesitation, Brijesh rushed to the scene and, with the strength and agility that made him a kabaddi champion, reached into the muck to pull the terrified animal to safety.

But as Brijesh cradled the shivering puppy, its tiny jaws clamped down on his hand. The bite was minor, barely breaking the skin, and Brijesh, ever the optimist, brushed it off as nothing serious. He washed his hand, smiled at the grateful villagers, and went about his day, never imagining that this small wound would soon unleash a horror unlike anything he had ever faced on the kabaddi mat.

The Unseen Enemy: Rabies

In the days that followed, Brijesh continued his rigorous training, preparing for the upcoming Pro Kabaddi League 2026. He was a local hero, having just won a gold medal at a state-level competition in February, bringing pride and hope to Bulandshahr. His family, friends, and coaches spoke of his discipline, his dreams, and his unwavering determination.

But beneath his strong exterior, a silent killer was at work. The puppy, it turned out, was infected with rabies—a deadly virus that attacks the nervous system and, once symptoms appear, is almost always fatal. Unaware of the danger, and dismissing the bite as trivial, Brijesh did not seek the crucial anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) that could have saved his life.

The Descent Into Darkness

Nearly two months after the bite, Brijesh’s world began to unravel. It started with a numbness in his right hand, a strange tingling that quickly spread through his body. Soon, his limbs felt heavy, unresponsive. Panic set in as even the simplest movements became a struggle.

His family rushed him to Jeevan Jyoti Hospital in Aligarh, desperate for answers. There, doctors recognized the telltale signs of rabies—hydrophobia (fear of water), muscle spasms, and acute agitation. Brijesh’s condition deteriorated rapidly. He was referred to a higher medical center, but the prognosis was grim. The doctors, seeing the advanced stage of the disease, could only offer words of comfort to his devastated family.

A Battle Lost: The Agony of Rabies

As the virus ravaged his nervous system, Brijesh’s suffering became unbearable. A viral video, now circulating on social media, shows the once-vibrant athlete writhing in agony on a charpoy (cot), his body gripped by violent spasms. His hands, once tools of victory, were now restrained by loved ones as he fought uncontrollable urges and hallucinations. At times, he howled and snapped like a dog, the disease turning his own body against him in a cruel parody of the animal he had tried to save.

Witnesses describe the scene as heartbreaking. “He was a lion on the kabaddi field,” said his uncle, Deepak Solanki, fighting back tears. “But in those final hours, he was reduced to a shadow of himself, trapped in a nightmare from which there was no escape.”

The family tried everything. When modern medicine offered no hope, they turned to an Ayurvedic center in Mathura, clinging to the slimmest possibility of a miracle. For a brief moment, after taking the herbal concoctions, Brijesh seemed to rally. But the reprieve was short-lived. His condition worsened, and the family made a desperate dash to Delhi’s GTB Hospital. There, doctors confirmed their worst fears: it was rabies, and nothing more could be done.

On the journey back to his village, Brijesh breathed his last, surrounded by family but far from the kabaddi field where he had dreamed of glory.

A Village in Mourning

The news of Brijesh’s death has plunged Farana and the wider Bulandshahr community into grief. Here was a young man on the cusp of greatness, who had already brought honor to his home and was poised to make his mark on the national stage. His loss is not just a personal tragedy, but a blow to the spirit of an entire region.

In the days since his passing, villagers have gathered to mourn and to share memories of the boy who played with boundless energy and gave selflessly to others. “He was always helping someone,” recalled a neighbor. “That’s just who he was. He didn’t think twice about risking himself for that puppy.”

The Tragedy of Ignorance

Brijesh’s story is a harsh lesson in the dangers of ignorance and complacency. Rabies is a preventable disease, but only if treated promptly. The anti-rabies vaccine is widely available and highly effective—yet, in rural India, myths and misinformation persist. Many believe that a bite from a puppy is harmless, or that only deep wounds are dangerous. Brijesh’s family admits that they, too, underestimated the risk.

“We thought it was nothing,” his uncle confessed. “If only we had known. If only someone had told us how serious it was.”

Health officials, now visiting Farana, are working to educate villagers about the importance of seeking immediate medical care after any animal bite. “This tragedy should never be repeated,” said a member of the district health department. “No one should lose a son, a brother, a friend, because of a lack of awareness.”

A Viral Wake-Up Call

The haunting video of Brijesh’s final hours has sparked outrage and sorrow across India. On social media, thousands have expressed their condolences, while others have demanded better public health campaigns and access to vaccines. The images of a young athlete, once the pride of his village, reduced to a helpless victim, have become a rallying cry for change.

Doctors and experts warn that rabies remains a silent threat in many parts of India, claiming thousands of lives every year. “It is a disease that kills with certainty, but it is also a disease we know how to stop,” said Dr. Anjali Gupta, an infectious disease specialist. “The tragedy is that people still die because they don’t get the vaccine in time.”

A Dream Unfulfilled

For Brijesh, the dream was always kabaddi. He trained with relentless passion, waking before dawn to run, practicing late into the night, never letting setbacks slow him down. His coaches recall a player who inspired others, who lifted his teammates with his spirit and his smile.

“He was destined for the Pro Kabaddi League,” said his coach, his voice heavy with emotion. “He had the talent, the heart, the drive. We all believed he would go far.”

Now, that dream lies shattered, another casualty of a preventable disease.

Lessons for a Nation

The story of Brijesh Solanki is a call to action for India. It is a reminder that heroism and tragedy often walk hand in hand, that the smallest acts of kindness can carry unimaginable risks, and that knowledge is the best defense against the world’s unseen dangers.

Health authorities are urging everyone: no animal bite is too small to ignore. Get vaccinated. Seek help. Spread the word. Let Brijesh’s sacrifice not be in vain.

A Family’s Plea

As the Solanki family prepares to lay their son to rest, their grief is mingled with a desperate hope that others will learn from their pain. “We lost our Brijesh, but maybe his story can save someone else,” said his mother, her voice breaking. “Don’t make the same mistake. Protect your children.”

The Final Whistle

In the end, Brijesh Solanki’s story is not just about loss. It is about courage, love, and the cruel twists of fate. It is about a young man who gave everything for his sport, his family, and even a helpless animal in need. It is about a community mourning a hero, and a country confronting the deadly consequences of ignorance.

As the sun sets over Farana, the kabaddi field stands silent. But in the hearts of those who knew him, Brijesh’s spirit endures—a reminder of the heights he reached, the dreams he chased, and the lesson he leaves behind.

Let us honor his memory not with tears alone, but with action, awareness, and the promise that his sacrifice will not be forgotten.