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Journalism of Courage
As the pictures of the inauguration of the new Parliament in the national capital flashed across television and social media, barely 2 km away from the venue, protesting wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, were detained by the Delhi Police as they tried to move towards the unveiling ceremony, where a women’s Mahapanchayat was planned for the day.
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.
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.
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!”
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.
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.”
“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).
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.
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.”
