WFI Updates: Wrestlers To Return Medals After Scuffle With Police, Swati Maliwal Arrested And More
This is shameful!
Indian wrestlers have been staging a protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi demanding the arrest of WFI Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The wrestlers have levelled sexual harassment allegations against the WFI chief who also happens to be a BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh. Late on May 3, a scuffle allegedly broke out between the protesting wrestlers and police personnel during which some protestors suffered head injuries. In a viral video from the protest, the wrestlers can be heard accusing the police personnel of attacking two wrestlers after getting drunk.
And this happened last night: Delhi police and protesting wrestlers in a midnight scuffle. Unfortunate. is there no one who can play honest referee and stop this from escalating further? Don’t like to see our Olympians being pushed around by state power. pic.twitter.com/dbQxY23E98
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) May 4, 2023
VIDEO | Ruckus between protesting wrestlers and Delhi Police at Jantar Mantar. More details are awaited. pic.twitter.com/AIS5zgH4My
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 3, 2023
Also Read: Sakshi Malik Thanks Supreme Court, Says Wrestlers Protest Will Continue Till WFI Chief Is Arrested
The Delhi Police alleged that the AAP MLA Somnath Bharti came to the protest site with folding beds and he did not have permission which led to the scuffle. When asked about the beds by the police, Bharti’s men became aggressive which led to an altercation between the protestors and the police following which 4 people were detained including the MLA and Congress leader Deepender Hooda. Further, the police claimed that the protestors got aggressive and restrained police personnel and accused him of being drunk whereas that was not the case. The police also claimed that no protester was beaten up.
#WATCH | "We're in need of the support of the whole country, everyone must come to Delhi. Police using force against us, abusing women and doing nothing against Brijbhushan…": Wrestler Bajrang Punia pic.twitter.com/krGrO7HlxM
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2023
Following the incident, there has been heavy barricading at the wrestlers’ protest site. Speaking to the media on Thursday morning, Wrestler Vinesh Phogat stated that the police personnel got aggressive with the protesters while they were arranging the folding beds. The wrestlers have also claimed that the police personnel prevented the doctors from reaching the site to tend to the injuries of the protesters. Punia also called upon the farmers to join their protest.
#WATCH | Delhi: A scuffle breaks out between protesting wrestlers and Delhi Police at Jantar Mantar pic.twitter.com/gzPJiPYuUU
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2023
Further, DCW chief Swati Maliwal who arrived at the protest site to support the wrestlers was allegedly arrested by the Delhi Police.
DCW Chief Swati Maliwal has been arrested by Delhi Police
– Tweeted by DCW Office pic.twitter.com/4c04UfkU0T— Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) May 3, 2023
On the other hand, Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat have informed the media that the protesting wrestlers are planning to return all the medals that they have won. Punia stated that the medals are of no use when the medal-winning wrestlers are subjected to this kind of behaviour.
#WATCH | Delhi: If this is how the wrestlers will be treated, what will we do with the medals? Rather we will live a normal life & return all the medals & awards to the Indian Government: Wrestler Bajrang Punia at Jantar Mantar pic.twitter.com/mvXqqiFVpR
— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2023
Also Read: “Are Female Athletes Not Sanskari Enough?”: Mahua Moitra Slams BJP For Silence On WFI Sexual Harassment Case
Phogat stated that the self-esteem of the wrestlers has been tarnished and they’re crying and seeking aid and if this is what they have to suffer then they do not want to keep the medals they have won for the country.
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
Dear India,
Wrestlers of India who Brought International Laurels are crying today. They need us. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Support them else Hang your head in shame. pic.twitter.com/yJo8YY0nOP
— Mahua Moitra Fans (@MahuaMoitraFans) May 3, 2023
FYI, the wrestlers approached the Supreme Court in the matter which was previously heard on April 28 and the next date of hearing has been scheduled for May 4.
Image: Twitter
