Brij Bhushan Singh, the head of the federation, has been called for dismissal by the wrestlers Image Credit: NDTV
by Zafar Yousafzai 7 June 2023
Several top Indian wrestlers, including Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, have found themselves facing charges of rioting and disorder after their arrests during a march to the new parliament building in New Delhi. The arrests occurred following the building’s inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The wrestlers and their supporters were taken into custody after scuffles broke out in front of the parliament as they continued their protests, demanding the arrest of their federation chief over sexual harassment allegations.
While some of the protesters were released late on Sunday, formal complaints were filed against others under various articles of the Indian Penal Code, ranging from rioting to obstructing the duty of a public servant through assault and criminal force. These athletes have been protesting in the capital for over a month due to the lack of action against Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, a member of parliament affiliated with Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. The protesters have demanded Singh’s immediate arrest and sought intervention from the Supreme Court, which directed the police to register a case against the 66-year-old federation chief. Singh has vehemently denied all allegations of harassment made against him by multiple female athletes during his tenure leading the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
Sakshi Malik, one of the prominent figures in the protests, expressed her concern over the swift action taken by the police to detain those who were peacefully demonstrating. In a tweet, she questioned whether the country was under a dictatorship, highlighting the international attention on how the government is treating its athletes. Bajrang Punia, another Olympic medallist, emphasized that the protests were a fight for the respect and justice of their daughters and sisters.
The situation escalated when Punia responded to a former Indian Police Service officer’s tweet suggesting that the protesters should be shot. Punia challenged the officer, stating that they were standing firm and willing to face any consequences. The use of police force and the filing of criminal charges against the protesting athletes have drawn condemnation from India’s Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra. Chopra, who secured gold in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, expressed the need for a better approach to address the situation.
During the inauguration of the parliament building, the wrestlers attempted to march toward the venue, but they were intercepted by a large contingent of police officers. Among those detained and transported in buses were Olympic bronze medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia. Malik, prior to her detention, voiced her concerns about the threat to democracy, highlighting the contradiction between the inauguration of parliament and the suppression of peaceful protests.
These wrestlers are regarded as national heroes in a country that has long sought Olympic success. Prime Minister Modi had congratulated them on their achievements, demonstrating his support for their endeavors. However, the wrestlers now accuse the Modi government of turning a blind eye to embarrassing complaints. It is worth noting that Modi has portrayed himself as a champion of women’s rights. The Delhi Police defended the arrests, stating that the protesters had breached barricades and disregarded police instructions, thereby violating the law.
Amidst this controversy, Sakshi Malik shared photos and videos of the wrestlers being forcefully detained by the police. The developments surrounding these charges have sparked a significant debate in India, with concerns raised about the manner in which the protesters were treated and the government’s response to the allegations of sexual harassment within the wrestling federation. The outcome of this situation remains uncertain, and it underscores the need for a balanced approach to address grievances and uphold the principles of justice and accountability.