Wrestlers offer to return medals and honours after scuffle at Jantar Mantar protest site
Wrestlers offer to return medals and honours after scuffle at Jantar Mantar protest site
The protesting wrestlers threatened to return their medals and awards, including the Padma Shri, after the thuggish behaviour by Delhi Police. The wrestlers, some between tears, said these honours serve no purpose if they have to endure such humiliation.
Around 11 PM on Wednesday night, wrestlers were prevented from bringing in folding beds for sleeping amid a day of continuous downpour in the national capital. Police personnel interjected stating rules do not allow bringing in such things at a protest site.
Two-time World Championships medallist Vinesh Phogat and 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik claimed that they were abused and pushed by male police officers, leaving them in tears. Two wrestlers, including Sangeeta Phogat’s brother Dushyant, suffered injuries.
“If this is how the wrestlers will be treated, what will we do with the medals? Rather we will live an ordinary life and return all the medals and awards to the Indian government,” Bajrang Punia, an Olympics bronze medallist, said on Thursday morning.
“When police is pushing us, abusing us, misbehaving then they don’t see that we are Padma Shri awardee, and not only me, there is Sakshi (Malik) also,” he said referring to the Rio Olympics bronze medallist.
“They are misbehaving with us. Women and daughters are sitting on the streets, begging for kindness but no one is bothered about getting justice.”
VIDEO | Heavy police deployment at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar where a scuffle broke out between wrestlers and cops
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 4, 2023
Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia are Khel Ratna winners, country’s highest sporting honour. Sakshi (2017) and Bajrang (2019) are also recipients of the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour.
The wrestlers have been stationed at Jantar Mantar since 23 April demanding justice and criminal proceedings against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for sexual harassment and intimidation.
The matter was heard by the Supreme Court on Thursday where the apex court was apprised of the latest development. However, the court asked the counsel representing the wrestlers to approach the High Court if they do wish. Meanwhile, Delhi Police are conducting their own investigation after two FIRs were filed against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. BJP MP Sharan Singh has denied the allegations and has claimed the protest is politically motivated.
“Take it (medals) all away. We have been humiliated so much. We are fighting for our respect but we are being crushing under their feet. Do all men have the right to abuse women?,” said Vinesh, who received Khel Ratna in 2020. “We will return all our medals, even give our life but at least get us justice,” she added.
The confrontation happened when the protesters were trying to get extra mattresses and wooden benches to the protest site since rain had left the old mattresses wet. “The policeman started pushing me, shoving me and pulling my hand. He also abused me. There was no women constable at that time. He was aggressive. There was another policeman who was drunk,” Vinesh said.
In the videos from the protest site, Delhi Police personnel and wrestlers can be seen arguing over the beds.
#WATCH | Delhi: A scuffle breaks out between protesting wrestlers and Delhi Police at Jantar Mantar pic.twitter.com/gzPJiPYuUU
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2023
VIDEO | “The way they have made us suffer, I would not want any athlete to win a medal for the country,” says wrestler Vinesh Phogat. pic.twitter.com/EpSk6dc3ZL
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 3, 2023
It has also been reported that Vinesh Phogat suffered a knee injury and Bajrang Punia took a blow to the shoulder during the scuffle.
“The area is filled with water and there was no place to sleep, so we thought of bringing cots,” Vinesh said. “They also pushed me and abused me. We’re fighting for our respect and these policemen are pushing us. That’s how badly we’re being treated,” she added.
“Is this why we had won medals for this country, to see such a day? Brij Bhushan, who has done so much wrong, is sleeping comfortably in his bed at home and we’re not even allowed to get cots to sleep on. If you want to kill us, just do it, we’re ready. But how much more will you disrespect us?”
जंतर-मंतर पर पुलिस द्वारा पहलवानों पर हमला जिसमें मेरे छोटे भाई दुष्यंत फौगाट का सिर फोड़ दिया गया है और एक अन्य पहलवान को भी चोट आयी है ये बहुत ही शर्मनाक है
— geeta phogat (@geeta_phogat) May 3, 2023
When questioned if they were talking about international medals or honours bestowed upon them by the Indian government, Vinesh said, “Saare le jao. Itni beizzati toh kar di hamari. Kuch bhi chhoda nahi (Take away all. You have already insulted us so much. There’s nothing left).”
#WATCH | “Somnath Bharti brought folding beds to the protest site in Jantar Mantar. Since there was no permission, we didn’t allow it, so some of the supporters of the protesting wrestlers tried to take out the beds from the truck and this led to an altercation…”: DCP Pranav… pic.twitter.com/dWwRTFSDHZ
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2023
Delhi Police claimed AAP leader Somnath Bharti had brought the folding beds. “We had ordered for the beds and not Somnath Bharti. And even if he had brought it, don’t we even have the right to sleep? Were we committing a crime by bringing beds, was there a bomb or weapons? Their (Delhi Police) behaviour was very aggressive,” Vinesh added.
Bajrang said, “I want to know why everything is being related to politics, sometimes Aam Aadmi party, Congress, sometimes BJP. The matter is related to women, but the nation is being misled by associating it with political parties.”
“The Police is favouring Brij Bhushan. We are being abused after the FIR was lodged. Wrestlers are being divided on the basis of caste.”
“I just want to request the government if you can rise above politics and give justice to protesting wrestlers then the entire country will be grateful to you.”
In response to the accusations by the wrestlers, New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Pranav Tayal said five police personnel including two women were injured.
DCP Tayal said sufficient number of women officers were on duty on Wednesday night.
“No force was used by police personnel against the protestors. Regarding injury to one protestor, he left the hospital against medical advice and has not given a statement to the police yet,” the DCP tweeted from his official Twitter handle.
Asked if the protest has been taken over by political parties, Vinesh said, “Listen, if this is political, please get the Prime Minister to talk to us. Ask the home minister to call us. Get us justice. We are putting our careers and our lives at stake,” she said with folded hands.
Bajrang Punia also urged the Indian public to join the wrestlers in the protest against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
“I request everyone to reach Delhi by morning. This is the time. If not now, then when? This is a question of the dignity of our daughters. People like Brij Bhushan are roaming free despite being a criminal and all this is happening to us,” Bajrang said.
The Delhi Police alerted DCPs of all districts in Delhi on high alert as “large number of people can reach Jantar Mantar”.
“DCPs of all districts in Delhi have been asked to be on alert in their districts, especially in the border areas. Special care is to be taken on roads which go towards Central Delhi, barricades have been put up at several places. Police have received some inputs that a large number of people can reach Jantar Mantar where the wrestlers are protesting,” Delhi Police was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
A group of farmers coming to Delhi to express solidarity was stopped by the police at the Singhu border, with officials saying 24 of were detained.
However, a large number of people did join the protest including Delhi University students and expressed solidarity with the wrestlers.
They raised slogans like “Nari Shakti Zindabad”, “Pahalwan Ekta Zindabad”, “Jo Humse Takrayega, Chur Chur Ho Jayega”.
Opposition parties slam central government
Meanwhile, the opposition parties attacked the BJP and termed the scuffle as “shameful”, with the Congress demanding a court-monitored investigation.
Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, her Tamil Nadu and Delhi counterparts M K Stalin and Arvind Kejriwal respectively attacked the BJP as they voiced concern over the plight of the women wrestlers.
Congress urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sack Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. In retaliation, BJP leader and Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi said the wrestlers’ protest lost credibility after “discredited” politicians joined the stir.
देश के खिलाड़ियों के साथ ऐसा बर्ताव बहुत ही शर्मनाक है।
‘बेटी बचाओ’ बस ढोंग है! असल में भाजपा भारत की बेटियों पर अत्याचार करने से कभी पीछे नहीं हटी है। pic.twitter.com/TRgPyM8UbF
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 4, 2023
Rahul Gandhi condemned the alleged manhandling of the female wrestlers. “Such behaviour with the players of the country is shameful,” he tweeted.
अपनी कड़ी मेहनत और लगन से देश व अपने परिवार का नाम रोशन करने वाली महिला खिलाड़ियों के आंसू देखकर बहुत दुख होता है।
इनकी सुनवाई हो और न्याय दिया जाए। pic.twitter.com/ofZwrd7m3R
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) May 4, 2023
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tagged a video of wrestlers breaking down and said it was sad to see the tears of female sportspersons who’ve brought laurels for the country.
Disrobing the honour of our daughters in this manner is utterly shameful. India stands by its daughters and I as a human being definitely stand by our wrestlers. Law is one for all. “Law of the ruler” cant hijack the dignity of these fighters. You can assault them but can’t break…
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 4, 2023
“Disrobing the honour of our daughters in this manner is utterly shameful. India stands by its daughters, and I, as a human being, definitely stand by our wrestlers,” Banerjee tweeted.
Stalin alleged that contrary to the PM’s “false promises” on empowering women, the BJP was “shielding” accused persons.
Lekhi said the Centre was dealing with the wrestlers’ issue “very sensitively” and pointed out that the matter was in court.
(with inputs from PTI)
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