Police taking wrestlers into custody
– Photo: Social Media
Expansion
Wrestlers’ strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar has ended. In a span of about four months, India’s top wrestlers have sat on dharna twice at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and twice their dharna has ended. The wrestlers first sat on a dharna in January and within three days the strike was over. After this, in April the wrestlers sat on strike for the second time and it ended after 36 days. However, the way the dharna ended both the times is different.
In January, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur spoke to the wrestlers and assured them of getting justice. After this, the wrestlers withdrew their strike within three days. However, till the month of April, no action was taken against Brij Bhushan Singh, then the wrestlers sat on strike for the second time. The strike went on for 36 days, but the demands of the wrestlers were not fulfilled. In such a situation, the Delhi Police arrested the wrestlers during the demonstration and uprooted their tents from the protest site. Apart from this, all his belongings were also removed from there.
The wrestlers alleged that they were also dragged while being detained. Videos of wrestlers being detained have also surfaced. In such a situation, many players have tweeted in support of the wrestlers.
I’m so sad to see the visuals of our Athletes…. Please solve this ASAP
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 28, 2023
I am very sad to see this. There has to be a better way to deal with this. https://t.co/M2gzso4qjX
— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) May 28, 2023
Why does it have to come down to our wrestlers being dragged around without any consideration? This isn’t the way to treat anyone.
I really hope this whole situation is assessed the way it should be.—Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) May 28, 2023
FIR against wrestlers
Delhi Police has registered an FIR against the protesting wrestlers. According to the police, a case has been registered against Bajrang Poonia, Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and the organizers of the protest under sections 147, 149, 186, 188, 332, 353 of the IPC and section 3 of the PDPP Act. On this Sakshi wrote “Delhi Police takes seven days to register an FIR against Brij Bhushan who sexually assaulted wrestlers and it doesn’t even take seven hours to register an FIR against us for protesting peacefully. Has dictatorship started in this country?” Has it happened? The whole world is watching how the government is treating its players.”
It takes 7 days for Delhi Police to register an FIR against Brij Bhushan who sexually assaulted us and did not even take 7 hours to register an FIR against us for conducting a peaceful protest. Has dictatorship started in this country? The whole world is watching how the government treats its players. https://t.co/h0TEXY0x92
— Sakshee Malik (@SakshiMalik) May 28, 2023
What is the matter?
India’s top wrestlers have accused Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment. Delhi Police has also registered two FIRs against Brij Bhushan on the complaint of women wrestlers. An FIR has been registered under the POCSO Act. Wrestlers are adamant on demanding Brij Bhushan’s arrest, but Brij Bhushan is telling himself innocent.