(Trigger warning: Visuals of violence.)
Video Producer/Editor: Shohini Bose
"The coronation is over - the 'arrogant king' is now crushing the voice of the public on the streets!" tweeted Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday 28 May, while sharing a video of protesting wrestlers being manhandled by the Delhi police, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Parliament building.
Several wrestlers including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik were detained by the police as they marched to the Parliament to conduct the 'Mahila Mahapanchayat' to demand action against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan.
Other opposition leaders, too, reacted to the reports of 'manhandling' and detention of some of these athletes who have won laurels for the country.
“The medals on the chest of the players are the pride of our country. With those medals, due to the hard work of the sportspersons, the honour of the country increases. The arrogance of the BJP government has increased so much that the government is mercilessly trampling the voices of our women players under their boots. This is totally wrong. The whole country is watching the arrogance of the government and this injustice.,” Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi tweeted.
While some like West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee have said that "autocratic forces thrive on intolerance and quelling of dissent", others like the RLD have asked:
"Why are the women wrestlers being detained instead of Brij Bhushan Singh?"
"Instead of arresting Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Delhi Police is arresting peacefully protesting women wrestlers and their supporters? It is the fundamental right of everyone in the country to protest peacefully, (this is) very sad," the Rashtirya Lok Dal tweeted.
"This behaviour with those who have brought honour to our nation is completely wrong:" Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal
“The right to inaugurate the new parliament was taken away from the President.
Women players were beaten with dictatorial force on the streets!
3 lies of BJP-RSS rulers are now exposed in front of the country
1. Democracy
2. Nationalism
3. Save daughter
Remember Modi ji,
Democracy is not run just by buildings,
It is run by the voice of the public.”
- Congress President Malikarjun Kharge
"India's honor and pride is being trampled under the feet of those in power:" Aam Aadmi Party.
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