New Delhi: The protesting wrestlers on Thursday threatened to return their medals and awards including the Padma Shri to the government, hurt by the clash that broke out between the grapplers and the police late night on Wednesday. They said that these honours serve no purpose if they are subject to such humiliation if they choose to fight against what is wrong.
"If this is how the wrestlers will be treated, what will we do with the medals? Rather we will live an ordinary life and return all the medals and awards to the Indian government," Bajrang, an Olympic bronze medallist, said on Thursday. Vinesh, Sakshi and Bajrang have bagged the Khel Ratna, the country's highest sporting honour. Skashi (2017) and Bajrang (2019) have also won the Padma Shri.
"When police is pushing us, abusing us, misbehaving then they don't see that we are Padma Shri awardee," Bajrang said adding that even Sakshi, Rio Olympics bronze medallist, was manhandled by the police. "They are misbehaving with us. Women and daughters are sitting on the streets, begging for kindness but no one is bothered about getting justice," he said.
Also read: Did we win medals to see this day: Vinesh Phogat alleges abuse by policemen
Vinesh Phogat broke down during a media interaction on Wednesday saying, "Did we win medals for the country to see this day?" She shared that they have not even eaten. "Does every man have a right to abuse women? These policemen are holding guns, they can kill us," she charged.
She also questioned the absence of female police officers at the protest site and alleged that a police officer who was drunk hit her brother. The wrestlers resumed their second round of protest on April 23 demanding action against Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Seven female grapplers, including one minor, have alleged the WFI president of sexual harassment.
