Former wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt said on Monday (May 29) that the opposition parties were misusing the protesting wrestlers and attempting to tarnish the country's image, and that the opposition parties pushed the athletes to break protocol. Yogeshwar Dutt is a BJP leader who was on the committee that probed the allegations of sexual harassment made by wrestlers against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
His comments follow a brawl between protesting wrestlers and Delhi police on Sunday (May 28). According to Dutt, the wrestlers' demand was to file an FIR, which was done and the matter is being investigated by police; everyone knows that protocol is supposed to be followed in formal events.
Dutt can be heard saying in a video shared by the news agency ANI, "The opposition political parties misused the wrestlers, they were pushed to break all the protocols. They were mistaken because everyone is aware of the protocols that must be followed during significant events such as the inauguration of the New Parliament Building yesterday. In terms of the investigation, the police have already filed complaints, and the committee is expected to submit its report soon. It is clear that the athletes were pushed to violate all protocols".
Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, along with their supporters, were detained on Sunday as they attempted to march to the newly inaugurated Parliament building, with Delhi Police clearing their protest site at Jantar Mantar and stating that they would not be allowed to continue their sit-in.
The central government was chastised by opposition parties for "manhandling" the wrestlers, with former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi claiming that now that the "coronation" has ended, the "arrogant king is crushing the voice of the people" on the streets.