India’s Olympic medallist wrestler Sakshi Malik, along with fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sangeeta Phogat, were detained by Delhi Police when they attempted to march to the new Parliament building for a demonstration on Sunday. The wrestlers planned to protest against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan, who has been accused of sexually harassing women wrestlers. Seven women wrestlers have filed a police complaint against him.
Sakshi Malik said, stating that they were peacefully marching and trying to convey their message when they were forcefully dragged onto a bus by the police. She emphasized that they did not engage in any acts of rioting, damage public property, or disrupt the peace. The wrestlers were released by 6 pm in the evening after being detained.
Sakshi Malik also criticized the circulation of morphed photos showing Vinesh Phogat and Sangeeta Phogat smiling inside a vehicle after being pushed onto the bus, highlighting that the situation was misrepresented. The wrestlers had intended to hold a women’s Maha Panchayat in front of the new Parliament to address the issue of women’s dignity and the allegations against the WFI president. However, the security personnel stopped their march to ensure the smooth conduct of the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building.