Chaos erupted in the heart of India’s capital, just a short distance away from the grand inauguration of the new parliament building, as top wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia were detained by the Delhi Police while attempting to march toward the venue. The scenes that unfolded, showing the athletes being shoved, pushed, and dragged into buses, sparked widespread outrage.
The wrestlers had planned a ‘Mahila Samman Mahapanchayat’ (women’s assembly) as part of their ongoing protest against the chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Singh, who is also a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has been accused by the wrestlers of sexually harassing several female athletes. These allegations have triggered a nationwide controversy, leading to widespread protests demanding his arrest.
Ahead of the planned ‘Mahapanchayat’, Delhi Police had increased security measures at Jantar Mantar, the designated protest site. However, the wrestlers remained determined to proceed with their protest. Tensions escalated when the athletes, led by Vinesh Phogat and her cousin sister Sangeeta Phogat, attempted to breach the security barricades.
“All protesters were detained and forcefully boarded onto buses by the police,” stated Dependra Pathak, Special Commissioner of Police, Law and Order. He further mentioned that the athletes were detained for violating law and order and assured that legal action would be taken after an inquiry. Following the detentions, police officers cleared the protest site, which had been active since the wrestlers resumed their protest against Singh on April 23.
The crackdown on the wrestlers drew strong condemnation from opposition leaders who had boycotted the opening of the parliament. The protesting athletes, including Olympic medalists and Asian Games gold winners, remain unwavering in their demand for Singh’s arrest. They stated that the use of force by the police would not deter them from continuing their peaceful protest and assembly.
The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the athletes and the Wrestling Federation of India, with allegations of sexual harassment bringing the issue to the forefront. As the situation unfolds, the wrestlers continue to assert their demands for justice, while the authorities face scrutiny over the handling of the protests and detentions.
