In a shocking turn of events, prominent wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia have been booked for rioting and obstructing public servants on duty during a protest near the newly inaugurated Parliament building in New Delhi. The protest was organized by wrestlers and other demonstrators who were demanding action against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment by multiple women. The protesters, including the wrestlers, attempted to march towards the Parliament building but were met with resistance from security personnel. A scuffle broke out, leading to chaos and clashes between the protesters and the police. As a result, an FIR was filed against the organizers of the protest, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and others involved in the scuffle.
The Delhi Police detained approximately 109 protesters, including the three wrestlers, and cleared the protest site at Jantar Mantar. While the women who were detained were released later in the evening, the male wrestlers were expected to be released subsequently. The police made it clear that the protesting wrestlers would not be allowed to return to Jantar Mantar. Opposition parties, who had previously boycotted the inauguration of the new Parliament building, criticized the government for allegedly mishandling the protesters. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the government, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of suppressing the voices of the people on the streets, while West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the incident as “shameful” and demanded appropriate action.
Despite the setback, the wrestlers remained determined to continue their protest against the WFI chief. Olympian Sakshi Malik affirmed that their movement was not over and declared their intention to resume their satyagraha at Jantar Mantar, emphasizing that women wrestlers would stand up against any form of dictatorship. This incident has sparked a heated debate about the right to protest and the government’s handling of dissenting voices, highlighting the ongoing tension between the authorities and citizens advocating for justice and accountability.