Scuffle between Police and Wrestlers at Jantar-Mantar, Phogat-Punia announce to return all the medals

Delhi: There was a lot of uproar on Wednesday late night at the sit – in protest venue of the wrestlers at Jantar Mantar. It is reportedly said that a scuffle took place between the protesting wrestlers and a few policemen. Following the incident the wrestlers have accused the policemen of assaulting them. In the melee, some protesters also suffered head injuries. After the incident that happened on Wednesday late night, Vinesh Phogat and wrestler Bajrang Punia have announced to return all the medals to the government, won at the national and international level.

After the alleged attack, speaking to the media today morning at Jantar-Mantar, Wrestler Bajrang Punia said the honours conferred on them by the Indian government are of no use if they are being subjected to abuse and misbehaviour by the Delhi Police. It would be better for us to live a simple life. Offering to return the honours, Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia said, “When they (policemen) were manhandling and abusing us, were they not able to see that the wrestlers are also Padma Shri (awardees).”

#WATCH अगर मेडल का सम्मान ऐसा ही है तो हम इस मेडल का क्या करेंगे। इससे अच्छा तो हम मामूली जिंदगी जी लेंगे और हमने जो मेडल जीते हैं उसे हम भारत सरकार को वापस कर देंगे। धक्का-मुक्की और गाली गलौज के से समय पुलिस को नहीं दिखता की ये पद्म श्री हैं, उन्होंने इस सम्मान की लाज नहीं रखी:… pic.twitter.com/l2djOBWRcU

— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) May 4, 2023

Swati Maliwal, head of the Delhi Women’s Commission, said that it is not only my right but duty to meet the girls. I don’t understand why Delhi Police is not help me in performing my duty. Why has Delhi Police resorted to hooliganism? What else will Delhi Police do to save Brij Bhushan? Delhi Police has registered an FIR on the behest of Supreme Court. Police has not taken the statement of the minor girl so far. Instead of arresting Brij Bhushan, Delhi Police is harassing the girls.

Meanwhile, according to media reports, several opposition parties have extended support to the wrestlers’ protest against the WFI chief over sexual harassment charges. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has called a meeting of its MLAs, councilors and party officials in connection with the matter on Thursday.