Kejriwal, opposition across party lines slam Centre over action against wrestlers

देश का मान बढ़ाने वाले हमारे खिलाड़ियों के साथ ऐसा बर्ताव बेहद ग़लत एवं निंदनीय। https://t.co/hoKX2ewlli

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 28, 2023

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack against the BJP and PM Narendra Modi and said, “The coronation is over, ‘the arrogant king’ is crushing the voice of the public on the streets.”

राज्याभिषेक पूरा हुआ – ‘अहंकारी राजा’ सड़कों पर कुचल रहा जनता की आवाज़! pic.twitter.com/9hbEoKZeZs

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 28, 2023

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also said, “The BJP government is mercilessly trampling the voices of our women players under their boots.”

AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge said Sunday’s action has exposed the Centre: “The three lies of the BJP-RSS rulers now stand exposed before the country — democracy, nationalism and Beti Bachao. Remember Modi ji, democracy does not run from the buildings but functions through the voice of the public.”

नई संसद के उद्घाटन का हक़ राष्ट्रपति जी से छीना,

सड़कों पर महिला खिलाड़ियों को तानाशाही बल से पीटा!

BJP-RSS के सत्ताधीशों के 3 झूठ अब देश के सामने बे-पर्दा हैं

1. लोकतंत्र
2. राष्ट्रवाद
3. बेटी बचाओ

याद रहे मोदी जी,

लोकतंत्र केवल इमारतों से नहीं,
जनता की आवाज़ से चलता है।

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) May 28, 2023

DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal took cognizance of the police’s action against the women wrestlers and wrote to the Delhi Police chief, demanding the arrest of WFI chief Brij Bhushan and the release of all wrestlers immediately.

सुबह से हिरासत में ली गई महिला पहलवानों और समर्थकों को अब तक रिहा नहीं किया गया है। पुलिस कमिश्नर को पत्र लिख ये माँगें रखी हैं –

1. बृज भूषण की तुरंत गिरफ़्तारी हो
2. सारे पहलवानों को तुरंत रिहा किया जाए #WrestlerProtest pic.twitter.com/ZAp2gjmrpL

— Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) May 28, 2023

Meanwhile, CMs of other states also voiced their protest over the treatment meted out to the wrestlers. Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin tweeted: “It has been months since women wrestlers filed a sexual harassment complaint against a BJP MP. The party leadership has not taken any action against him so far. During the inauguration ceremony of the new building of the Parliament of India, it is condemnable that those who protested were dragged and arrested. This shows that the sceptre was bent on the first day.”

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she strongly condemns “the way Delhi Police manhandled Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and other wrestlers” and added that “it’s shameful our champions are treated in this manner”.

NCP President Sharad Pawar, meanwhile, tweeted: “Its painful to see how Delhi Police has manhandled and detained our prominent women wrestlers who are seeking justice with democratic ways. I strongly condemn the reckless behaviour of Delhi Police towards our athletes…”

CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said, “Modi is lecturing on democracy on one hand and just some metres away… his government’s real and disgusting face has been exposed.”