New Delhi: Protesting wrestlers threatened to return their medals and awards to the government on Thursday, saying that if they are insulted in this way, then these awards have no meaning. The ruckus started around 11 pm on Wednesday night when the wrestlers brought folding cots to sleep on and the policemen on duty started inquiring about it as according to the rules such things are not allowed at the performance venue.
Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik claimed that the male police officers pushed them and used abuses at them which brought them to tears. Two wrestlers including Sangeeta Phogat’s brother Dushyant have been injured.
Olympic bronze medalist Bajrang Punia told reporters on Thursday morning, “If wrestlers are treated like this, then what will we do with these medals. Instead, we will lead a normal life by returning all our medals and awards to the Government of India.” Vinesh, Sakshi and Bajrang are the winners of the country’s highest sports award Khel Ratna. Sakshi (2017) and Bajrang (2019) have also been awarded the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth highest civilian award.
Bajrang said, “When the police are pushing us, abusing us, misbehaving with us, then they do not see that we are Padma Shri award winners and not only me but Sakshi (Malik) is also here. ” Sakshi Malik won the bronze medal in the Rio Olympic Games.
Bajrang said, “They are misbehaving with us. Women and daughters are sitting on the streets, begging for mercy, but no one cares.” Wrestlers are again on strike in the national capital since April 23, demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for allegedly sexually assaulting seven wrestlers, including a minor.
The matter is with the Supreme Court and two FIRs have also been registered in the Delhi Police against the President of the Wrestling Federation. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has denied all these allegations and claimed that the protest is politically motivated. Khel Ratna awardee Vinesh Phogat said, “Take all (medals) from us. We have been humiliated a lot. We are fighting for our honor but we are being crushed. Do all men have the right to abuse women? We will return all our medals, even we will give our lives but at least give us justice.”
The commotion started when protesters were trying to bring extra mattresses and wooden benches to the protest site as the old ones were wet due to rain. Vinesh said, “The policemen started pushing me and also pulled my hand. He said abusive words to me. At that time there was no woman constable. His attitude was very aggressive. Another policeman was drunk.” Delhi Police claimed that Aam Aadmi Party leader Somnath Bharti had brought the folding cot.
Vinesh said, “It was not Somnath Bharti but we had asked to bring the cot. And even if he does, don’t we have the right to even sleep? Were we committing a crime by bringing the bed? Did they have bombs or weapons? The behavior of the Delhi Police was very bad.”
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Bajrang said, “I want to know why everything is being linked to politics. Sometimes Aam Aadmi Party, sometimes Congress and sometimes BJP. This is a matter related to women but the country is being misled by linking it with political parties. He said, “The police is taking the side of Brij Bhushan. After registering the FIR, we are being abused. Wrestlers are being divided on the basis of caste.”
When asked whether political parties are dominating the protest, Vinesh said, “If it is political, please get the Prime Minister to talk to us. Ask the Home Minister to talk to us. Give us justice We are putting our careers and lives at stake.” Swati Maliwal of Delhi Women’s Commission was also sitting with the protesting wrestlers.
