India's Top Female Wrestlers Face Detention as Modi Inaugurates New Parliament

Protest by India's Leading Female Wrestlers Gains Momentum Amid Chaotic Arrests

The police detained India's top female wrestlers on Sunday, including Olympians Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, in a turbulent escalation of their weeks-long protest against the head of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). These courageous athletes, who have accused him of sexual harassment, found themselves at odds with the law enforcement authorities as they attempted to march towards New Delhi's historic center. The timing of their detention coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inauguration of the controversial new Parliament building, adding further gravity to an already charged situation.

Unyielding Determination Met with Forceful Intervention

According to Sakshi Malik, one of India's most celebrated female wrestlers, the protesters had embarked on a peaceful march towards Parliament when scuffles erupted with the police. In a distressing turn of events, officers resorted to forcefully dragging and detaining the demonstrators, Malik revealed from inside a police vehicle before being driven away. Uncertainty loomed as she exclaimed, "We don't know where they're taking us." Eventually, Malik was released, but the ordeal left a lasting impact on the entire wrestling community.

Senior Delhi Police officer Dependra Pathak defended the actions of law enforcement, claiming that the protesters had broken police barricades and disregarded their instructions. "They broke the law, and that's why they were detained," Pathak stated. However, a thorough investigation is necessary to determine whether the allegations against the wrestlers—including those of rioting and disrespect for government officials—are true.

Tensions Simmer as the Wrestlers' Campsite is Disassembled

In addition to the arrests, the makeshift campsite at Jantar Mantar, where dozens of wrestlers and their supporters had gathered since last month, was dismantled by the police. However, some resolute protesters continued to occupy the site, refusing to back down. Their unwavering presence symbolizes their determination to seek justice and hold WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh accountable for the allegations of sexual harassment.

Singh, a significant politician connected to India's governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is still being looked into by the police. Despite the mounting evidence, he vehemently denies all accusations, portraying the wrestlers as pawns in a political game orchestrated by opposition parties. Yet, Singh's claims lack substantiation, leaving many questioning his credibility.

A Cry for Justice Unanswered

The allegations against Singh initially surfaced in January when several prominent wrestlers demanded an inquiry into the sexual harassment claims made by younger athletes against him. Expressing their concern for a "safe and secure place" for aspiring wrestlers, especially women, five leading athletes penned a letter addressed to the president of the Indian Olympic Association. The letter triggered a series of protests led by Vinesh Phogat and others, demanding Singh's immediate dismissal. While the WFI denied the allegations, an inquiry was initiated, and Singh was asked to temporarily step aside by India's sports ministry. But more than three months later, nothing has been done to address the wrestlers' complaints, which has discouraged them.

Following significant demonstrations and the Supreme Court's involvement, the Delhi police filed two charges against Singh in April, one of which included the alleged sexual exploitation of a juvenile. Sakshi Malik expressed her dismay at the contrasting treatment of the wrestlers and Singh, highlighting the police's swift action against peaceful protesters while taking an unconscionable amount of time to register cases against Singh. The evident double standard calls into question the principles of justice and fairness within the country's administration.

A Controversial Inauguration Amidst Unrest

As India's esteemed female athletes found themselves in confrontation with the authorities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi carried out the ceremonial inauguration of the new parliament building in New Delhi. The enormous $2.4 billion project to renovate the capital's historic core, which includes this development, has drawn criticism from some who call it a "vanity project." Modi, who is keen to rid India of its colonial history, took this opportunity to reaffirm the nation's dedication to democracy and advancement.

However, the timing and manner of the inauguration have sparked controversies and intensified the ongoing political and cultural battle between Modi and his opponents. Nineteen political parties, expressing their disagreement, announced a boycott of the opening ceremony. They voiced concerns over Modi's decision to personally inaugurate the parliament building, instead of allowing India's President, Droupadi Murmu, to lead the proceedings. Critics also questioned the choice of the inauguration date since it fell on Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's birthday, a significant figure in India's Hindu-nationalist movement. Savarkar is revered by the government's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but the opposition claims that his ideas helped minorities continue to face persecution.

The new triangular parliament building stands as a central component of the comprehensive Central Vista Redevelopment Project, which aims to modernize New Delhi's colonial-era administrative center. Since the project's announcement, concerns have been raised regarding the cost and timing of the extensive works, prompting scrutiny from politicians, architects, and heritage experts alike.

Amidst the unfolding drama, the detained wrestlers found solace in the support of their fellow citizens. Critics of Modi's administration and those skeptical of the government's intentions rallied behind the protesters, condemning the mistreatment and urging for justice. DK Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister of India's southern Karnataka state, expressed his outrage on Twitter, stating, "Even while protesting in front of the Parliament, which stands as a symbol of justice and truth, our wrestlers got mistreated & manhandled instead of justice." Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, general secretary of India's opposition Congress Party, echoed the sentiment, describing the wrestlers' detention as "totally wrong" and emphasizing that the government's arrogance was trampling the voices of female athletes.

As the country watches these developments with bated breath, the plight of India's top female wrestlers and their unwavering fight for justice continue to captivate the nation's attention. It remains to be seen if their boldness and tenacity can bring about significant change and put an end to the harassing culture that has afflicted the wrestling world.