“Did We Win Medals To See Such A Day?”

After a late-night scuffle between protesting Indian wrestlers and Delhi Police at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday, the situation seemed tense till early on Thursday morning. There was chaos at Jantar Mantar late in the night on Wednesday as wrestlers alleged that police had manhandled and abused them. The latest confrontation seemed to have started when the wrestlers tried to bring beds to the protest site.

The argument with the police reduced Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik to tears while Vinesh Phogat was seen arguing with the officials in a video that surfaced from the location.

Vinesh Phogat alleged that a drunk policeman had assaulted her brother. She claimed that another police officer had shoved her and Sangeeta Phogat.

Speaking to the media late at night Vinesh Phogat while breaking down said, “Due to heavy rains water was filled and there was no place to sleep, so someone had arranged beds for us to sleep on. We thought we would sleep there but a male police official misbehaved with us.”

Lashing out at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who the wrestlers has alleged sexual harassment against, Phogat said that he is unhinged and sleeping comfortably at home while they are suffering here.

“We are literally sleeping on cardboards. If you want to beat us do that but will you humiliate us this much. We are fighting for our dignity and that police official is beating the girls by pushing on their chest. Is this why we got medals for the country. If this is how it goes, I wish no player brings a medal for this country then,” she said crying, as others are seen consoling the players.

Meanwhile, Tokyo Olympics medallist Bajrang Punia told journalists while speaking about the cots that were being brought in said, “Since it rained today, the streets are wet. That’s why we were trying to get a bed to the protest site. They’re abusing us. This is how they respect daughters.”

Delhi police officials, however, said the police official was not drunk and that no protester was beaten.

Meanwhile, Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj tagged L-G VK Saxena in a tweet, asking him to take note of a purported video of an argument between the protesters and the police.

“Please note Lt Governor Delhi. A Delhi Police officer attacked a wrestler at Jantar Mantar. It is alleged that the policeman was drunk. A medical test should be conducted and MLC of the victim should also be registered,” he tweeted also tagging the Delhi Police Commissioner in the tweet.

Many protesters, including journalists, were also detained from the site. Journalists also claimed they were not allowed to enter the premises, while their phones were snatched away.

Aam Aadmi Party MLA Somnath Bharti alleged he has been detained by the Delhi police for demanding foldable cots for the wrestlers at Jantar Mantar. According to DCP New Delhi Pranav Tayal, Bharti had brought folding beds for the wrestlers but got aggressive when the police intervened.

“During the protest at Jantar Mantar, Mr. Somnath Bharti came to the protest site along with folding beds without permission. On intervention, the supporters became aggressive and tried to get the beds out of the truck. Subsequently, a minor altercation took place in which Mr Somnath Bharti along with two others were detained,” DCP Tayal had said.

Punia, meanwhile, shared a video later saying that supporters should not get violent in any way and should protest wherever they can. “We all are fine. One or two people got injured, but they are also fine. The police have barricaded Delhi from all sides, so I request you all that we are not to misbehave with the police in any way,” he said, as Phogat and Sakshi Malik are seen sitting beside him. He also requested supporters to not try and jump the barricades.

The wrestlers have been sitting in protest for more than a week alleging Brij Bhushan of sexually harassing women. Seven women, including a minor have filed a complaint against the BJP leader, but it was after the Supreme Court’s intervention that an FIR was registered by the Delhi Police.

Brij Bhushan has, meanwhile, refused to resign from his post claiming he is innocent.

“I am completely innocent and have full faith in the Supreme Court and Delhi Police. I am ready to face any kind of investigation. Resigning as president of the Wrestling Federation of India is not a big deal for me, but I will not resign as a criminal,” he said.