‘Arrogant king crushing voice of public on streets’: Opposition leaders slam Delhi Police action against wrestlers

Wrestler Sakshi Malik being detained by the police at Jantar Mantar. (Express Photo)

Top Indian wrestlers have been protesting since April 2023 over the government’s inaction against WFI chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh who has been accused of sexual harassment.

The Delhi police’s action has drawn condemnation across the political spectrum, with leaders accusing the BJP government of injustice and stifling democratic values.

Wrestler Bajrang Punia being detained by the police at Jantar Mantar. (Express Photo)

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal condemned the behaviour of the police. “Such behaviour with our sportspersons who take India’s name to greater height is very wrong and condemnable,” he tweeted.

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

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who had earlier accused the PM of treating the inauguration of the new parliament as a “coronation ceremony” 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

Launching an attack on the BJP government, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, “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.”

“The medals on the chest of the players are the pride of our country,” she said.

खिलाड़ियों की छाती पर लगे मेडल हमारे देश की शान होते हैं। उन मेडलों से, खिलाड़ियों की मेहनत से देश का मान बढ़ता है।

भाजपा सरकार का अहंकार इतना बढ़ गया है कि सरकार हमारी महिला खिलाड़ियों की आवाजों को निर्ममता के साथ बूटों तले रौंद रही है।

ये एकदम गलत है। पूरा देश सरकार के… pic.twitter.com/xjreCELXRN

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) May 28, 2023

Attacking the ruling government, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, “Democracy is not just about buildings, Runs by the voice of the public.”

“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,” he wrote on Twitter. Kharge further said that the “right to inaugurate the new parliament was taken away from the President.”

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

“The Modi government might have inaugurated a new parliament building today. But on the streets, its police showed what it really thinks of democracy,” wrote the official Twitter handle of CPI(M).

Democracy is not grand buildings or pompous speeches but respect of rights & freedoms enshrined in constitution. The Modi government might have inaugurated a new parliament building today. But on the streets, its police showed what it really thinks of democracy. #WrestlersProtest pic.twitter.com/0lD2IqE0kw

— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) May 28, 2023

Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee also condemned the action of the Delhi Police against the wrestlers and said that “it is shameful that our champions are treated in this manner.”

“Democracy lies in tolerance but autocratic forces thrive on intolerance and quelling of dissent. I demand they be immediately released by police,” she wrote on Twitter.

Strongly condemn the way Delhi Police manhandled Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and other wrestlers. It’s shameful our champions are treated in this manner. Democracy lies in tolerance but autocratic forces thrive on intolerance and quelling of dissent. I demand they be immediately…

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 28, 2023

Reacting sharply to the detention of protestors, Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin said, “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 scepter was bent on the first day.”