'Democracy Lies In Tolerance': Mamata, Kejriwal Condemn 'Manhandling' Of Sakshi, Vinesh By Delhi Police
Leaders of the Opposition parties on Sunday criticised the Delhi Police for manhandling and detaining the protesting wrestlers including Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik from the protest site.
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
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
World champions.
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) May 28, 2023
India’s daughters.
Fighting for their honour.
The MP continues to be protected.
The GoI shames itself. pic.twitter.com/Un3Pzo55Sd
Female wrestlers protesting sexual harassment by a BJP MP brutally manhandled by Delhi Police while PM Modi inaugurated the new Parliament.
— Saket Gokhale (@SaketGokhale) May 28, 2023
The shameful state of our democracy under the BJP cannot be hidden by a swanky building. #MyWrestlersMyPride pic.twitter.com/G62F4kJcQK
Earlier in the day, security was beefed up in Lutyens' Delhi for the new parliament building inauguration and wrestlers' mahapanchayat. Thousands of police personnel had been deployed and multiple layers of barricades were put in place.
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat earlier said that the wrestlers will hold a women's Maha Panchayat in front of the new Parliament building on May 28. She said, "We have decided to hold a peaceful women's Maha Panchayat in front of the new Parliament building on May 28. Police have closed New Delhi but we request everyone to attend Mahila Panchayat...we will suffer all the atrocities by Police without any violence."
Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, along with other protesting wrestlers, are calling for the arrest of Brij Bhushan Singh on charges of sexual misconduct towards numerous female wrestlers.