Delhi Police files FIR against wrestler ’protest organisers’
- Delhi Police crackdown against the wrestlers came at the same time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was inaugurating the new Parliament of India.
Delhi Police has registered an FIR against the organizers of the wrestler's protest in connection with the incident at Jantar Mantar on Sunday. The action by the police came after protesting wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia was manhandled and detained while they were leading a women ‘Mahapanchayat’ towards the new Parliament building.
The police crackdown against the wrestlers came at the same time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was inaugurating the new Parliament of India.
The action of the police against the wrestlers was condemned by people from various quarters like Olympian gold medalist Neeraj Chopra and Delhi Commission of Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal, who demanded action against the police personnel who detained the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar.
The wrestlers are protesting for over a month demanding the arrest of BJP MP and chief of the Wrestling Federation of India Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for sexually harassing many women wrestlers including minors. Earlier, the wrestlers led a candle march from Jantar Mantar to India Gate and have decided to march towards the new Parliament building on its inauguration day.
In the evening Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Sangeeta Phogat were released from the detention, but some others protestors are still under police custody.
The politics around the issue is also gaining momentum with Opposition leaders targeting the government over the crackdown on protesting wrestlers.
“The right to inaugurate the new Parliament was snatched from the President. Women players were beaten up on the streets with dictatorial force… The three lies of BJP-RSS rulers now stand exposed before the country - Democracy, Nationalism and Save the Daughter. Remember Modi ji, democracy is not just about buildings but functions with the voice of the public," Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said.
"Strongly condemn the way Delhi Police manhandled Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and other wrestlers. It’s shameful our champions are treated in this manner. Democracy lies in tolerance but autocratic forces thrive on intolerance and quelling of dissent. I demand they be immediately released by police. I stand by our wrestlers," West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote on Twitter.
“Such behavior with our sportspersons who increase the honor of the country is very wrong and condemnable,” Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said.
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First Published:28 May 2023, 10:42 PM IST
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