Mamata, Siddaramiah Denounce Manhandling of Wrestlers

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Criticising the Narendra Modi-led Central government over the way it handled the wrestlers’ protest, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also wondered “what’s the need for the new Parliament building if it can’t give justice to the wrestlers who are protesting”

KOLKATA – West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has condemned the manhandling of the wrestlers by Delhi Police personnel in the national capital on Sunday.

In a Twitter message, the chief minister has accused the Union government of acting in an “autocratic” manner against those who had brought honour for the country.

She has also demanded immediate release of the detained wrestlers.

“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 released by police. I stand by our wrestlers,” her Twitter message read.

This is the second time in a month that Banerjee had shown solidarity towards the protesting wrestlers.

“Disrobing the honour of our daughters in this manner is utterly shameful. India stands by its daughters and I as a human being definitely stand by our wrestlers. Law is one for all. ‘Law of the ruler’ can’t hijack the dignity of these fighters. You can assault them but can’t break their spirit. The fight is right and the fight will continue. Don’t dare to hurt our wrestlers; the nation is watching their tears and the nation won’t forgive you. I urge our wrestlers to stay strong, I share all my strength with them,” she said on May 4, just a day after the protesting wrestlers alleged manhandling by the police at Jantar Mantar, where they have been staging protest against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh accusing him of molestation and sexual harassment.

Criticising the Narendra Modi-led Central government over the way it handled the wrestlers’ protest, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also wondered “what’s the need for the new Parliament building if it can’t give justice to the wrestlers who are protesting”.

“It is unfortunate to know that a few wrestlers have been detained for demanding justice,” tweeted the Chief Minister after Delhi Police on Sunday detained the protesting wrestlers who were trying to march towards the new Parliament when it was being inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“We as humans and Indians should stand with them and voice their concerns. They have made Indians proud by winning medals for us and we should make them feel proud to be Indians,” Siddaramaiah said.

The wrestlers who started the march from the site of the protest at Jantar Mantar were stopped by the police from proceeding towards the new Parliament. There was a scuffle when the protesters breached the security cordon.

Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia were detained by the Delhi Police.

They along with their supporters, wanted to hold ‘Mahila Mahapanchayat’ near the new Parliament building demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for allegedly sexually harassing women wrestlers, including a minor.

Brij Bhushan Singh is a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Kaiserganj in Uttar Pradesh.

-IANS

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