Speaking about the scuffle between Delhi police and wrestlers at Jantar Mantar on Sunday, former wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt said, “opposition parties misused the wrestlers and tried to tarnish the image of the country. Wrestlers’ demand was to register an FIR and it has been registered and police are investigating the matter.”
Dutt’s statement comes in the backdrop of the Delhi police’s detention of the wrestlers on Sunday. Wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and others were kept in detention by the police for 10 hours and released later in the day.
The female wrestlers had announced a ‘Mahila Mahapanchayat’ in front of the new Parliament as part of their protest. The grapplers breached the cordon laid by the police and moved towards the new parliament building. Immediately after, they were pushed into buses and taken to different locations.
Bajrang Punia on wrestlers’ detention
Punia said that it was unfortunate that Wrestling Federation chief (WFI) Brij Bhushan Singh, who allegedly sexually harassed female wrestlers was present during the inauguration of the new Parliament building.
“It is unfortunate for our country that the new Parliament building was being inaugurated and an accused was present,” Punia stated.
Opposition on detention
The opposition slammed the Centre over the incident. The “arrogant king is crushing the voice of the people,” Rahul Gandhi said whereas Mamata Banerjee hit out, “shameful our champions are treated in this manner”.
(With inputs from agencies)