Rahul Gandhi, the Congress leader, called the “manhandling” of protesting women wrestlers at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar “shameful.” Wrestlers Protest: Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP-led Modi administration for the “manhandling” of protesting women wrestlers in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, remarking that “‘Beti Bachao’ is just hypocrisy”.
On Thursday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called the “manhandling” of protesting female wrestlers in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar “shameful.” He also accused the BJP of never shying away from atrocities against the country’s daughters. Multiple layers of barricades have been erected around the protest site, and no one is allowed in after a scuffle broke out between protestors and police officers last night, resulting in the head injuries of two protesters.
“Such behaviour with the players of the country is shameful. ‘Beti Bachao’ is just hypocrisy. In fact, the BJP has never shied away from committing atrocities on the daughters of the country,” Rahul Gandhi said in a Hindi tweet while uploading a video of the players accusing the police of beating them up. The wrestlers have claimed that police officers mistreated them. Top wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik spoke at a news conference at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Thursday.
According to Vinesh Phogat, the players were attacked and abused. The Delhi Police denied her accusation that the accused cop was inebriated, “Were we committing a crime by bringing beds, was there a bomb? Their (Delhi Police) behaviour was very aggressive,” she added. Bajrang Punia, an Olympian, stated, “The matter is related to women, but the nation is being misled by associating it with political parties. Police are working in favour of Brij Bhushan. We are being abused after the FIR was lodged. Wrestlers are being divided on the basis of caste.” Police, according to Bajrang Punia, are attempting to suppress the demonstration in order to safeguard Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Uttar Pradesh.
Swati Maliwal, Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women, had earlier arrived at Jantar Mantar to encourage the protesting wrestlers. “I have come to meet the girls (wrestlers) again since it is my duty. Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik told us they were being tortured, and there were police officers who were drunk and misbehaved with them. I am concerned for their safety. Why is Delhi Police protecting Brij Bhushan? Why is Delhi Police not arresting him?” she asked, as quoted by news agency ANI.
Bajrang Punia stated that the wrestlers were willing to handover their medals and accolades to the Indian government. “When the police heckle us, do they not see we are Padma awardees, how are we being treated? They are misbehaving with us under the influence of alcohol.” He urged the government to rise above politics and give justice to protesting wrestlers, “the entire country will be grateful to you.”
Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Pranav Tayal dismissed the accusation, saying that AAP’s Somnath Bharti arrived at the protest location with folding beds without permission. When asked about the beds, his fans became agitated and attempted to steal them from a truck. According to news agency ANI, Deputy Commissioners of all districts in Delhi have been warned to remain on high alert in their districts because a huge number of people may attempt to visit Jantar Mantar in support of the wrestlers.