In New Delhi, several prominent Indian wrestlers, including Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, have been charged with rioting and disorder by the Delhi Police. The charges came after their arrests during a protest march to the newly inaugurated parliament building led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The wrestlers and their supporters have been demanding the arrest of Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, a member of parliament from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, who has been accused of sexual harassment by female wrestlers.
The protesting athletes have been seeking justice and the immediate arrest of Singh, who denies the allegations against him. The lack of action by authorities prompted the wrestlers to intensify their protests in the capital for over a month.
The Supreme Court directed the police to register a case against Singh, but the wrestlers question why it took the police seven hours to file charges against them for peacefully protesting, while it took seven days to register a case against Singh.
The use of police force and criminal charges against the athletes has drawn condemnation from various quarters, including Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra. The wrestlers attempted to march to the new parliament building during its inauguration, but scuffles broke out with police officers, leading to their detention.
The wrestlers accuse the Modi government of disregarding complaints that are embarrassing for the prime minister, who has advocated for women’s rights. However, the Delhi Police defend their actions, stating that the wrestlers broke the law by breaking barricades and not following police directions.
The protests have shed light on the prevalent issue of sexual harassment in Indian sports, with athletes alleging that complaints are often dismissed or swept under the rug by sports federation officials. The wrestlers have refused to disclose the identities of the women who have complained against Singh, protecting their anonymity.
