Ready To Return Medals, Awards: Protesting Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia

Hurt by the boorish behaviour of the Delhi Police, protesting wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia on Thursday offered to return their medals and awards to the government, saying these honours are of no use if they are being subjected to such humiliation.

The wrestlers have been sitting on a protest in the national capital since April 23, demanding the arrest of WFI chief and Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for alleged sexual harassment of seven wrestlers including a minor.

Around 11 pm on Wednesday, a confrontation broke out at Jantar Mantar between the protesting wrestlers when they were bringing in folding beds for their night stay and the on-duty police personnel who allegedly began enquiring about that.

"If this is how the wrestlers will be treated, what will we do with the medals? Rather we will live a normal life and return all the medals and awards to the Indian Government," Bajrang Punia, an Olympic bronze medallist, told reporters on Thursday morning.

"When police is pushing us, abusing us, misbehaving then they don't see that we are Padma Shri awardee, and not only me, there is Sakshi (Malik) also," he said referring to the Rio Olympics bronze medallist.

"They are misbehaving with us. Women and daughters are sitting on the streets, begging for kindness but no one is bothered about getting justice." There was heavy security at the Jantar Mantar site following last night's ruckus between the wrestlers and few Delhi police personnel, leading to injuries to two protesters.

"Take it (medals) all away. We have been humiliated so much. We are fighting for our respect but we are being crushing under their feet. Does all men have the right to abuse women?," said Vinesh Phogat, who is Khel Ratna awardee.

"We will return all our medals, even give our life but at least get us justice."
 

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