Wrestlers Protest: Protesting wrestlers clashed with Delhi Police late Wednesday night at Jantar Mantar, and tensions escalated on Thursday morning as Vinesh Phogat, a prominent wrestler, announced she would return all of her medals.
The athletes, who were protesting, claimed that the police attacked and verbally abused them. The situation remains tense as investigations continue.
Delhi Police officials reported that a group of demonstrators led by AAP leader Somnath Bharti arrived at the protest site carrying folding beds without permission and attempted to breach the barricades.
Vinesh Phogat expressed her frustration with the situation during a media interaction late Wednesday night, stating that she and her fellow wrestlers will be returning all the medals won at the international level and those given by the government.
She also stated that they could not tolerate the humiliation any longer, as they were being mistreated and manhandled by Delhi Police personnel during the protest.
Phogat broke down during the interview while describing how a police officer had pushed and manhandled them.
The protest in the capital city was organized following allegations of sexual assault against Brij Bhushan Singh, the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
Delhi Police detained Somnath Bharti, an Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Malviya Nagar, at the protest site for carrying folding beds without permission. Meanwhile, wrestler Geeta Phogat claimed that her sibling was injured during the scuffle with the police.
There are videos showing Delhi Police officials and protesters engaged in a heated argument over a cot.
Vinesh Phogat, speaking to the media from the protest site, accused Delhi Police officials of causing them suffering.
