Politicians and sportspersons condemned the detention of wrestlers

The dramatic detention of protesting wrestlers by the Delhi Police on Sunday drew condemnation from several politicians and former sportspersons, terming it a “shame on the government”. Top wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia were detained on charges of law and order violation after they breached the security cordon while trying to march towards the new Parliament building for a women’s ‘mahapanchayat’. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted, “Strongly condemn the way Delhi Police misbehaved with Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and other wrestlers. It is shameful that our champions are treated like this.

He wrote, “Democracy is rooted in tolerance but autocratic forces thrive on suppressing intolerance and dissent. I demand that he be released immediately by the police. I stand by my wrestlers.” The Communist Party of India (Marxist) termed the police action as “a matter of shame for the government”. The party said, “The Delhi Police has detained women wrestlers. Medal winning wrestlers were bused in and taken into custody to fight against sexual harassment while the accused man would sit in the new Parliament House. It is a shameful thing!”

Amid the chaos at Jantar Mantar, wrestlers and police officers pushed each other and Vinesh Phogat, her sister Sangeeta Phogat and Sakshi Malik tried to break through the barricade. Vinesh put up a stiff resistance when he tried to take him into custody and Sangeeta lay down on the road hugging him. Police officials dragged him along with several other wrestlers and their supporters into buses and took them to different places. Top wrestlers had resumed their agitation on April 23 demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Brij Bhushan has been accused of alleged sexual harassment of several female wrestlers, including a minor. The police had warned the wrestlers not to go towards Parliament but they went ahead after which the clash broke out. Congress MLA from Rajasthan and 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games discus throw gold medalist Krishna Poonia also condemned the police action. He tweeted, “The most shameful video of Indian sports and democracy. I condemn the way the police dragged our gold medal winning wrestlers who brought laurels to the country and I stand with my sisters in this fight for truth and justice. Trinamool MLA and former India cricketer Manoj Tiwari tweeted, “So you call this the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence?” be ashamed of! Wrestlers, the country is with you.

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