The Congress on Sunday attacked the Centre over the detention of protesting wrestlers in the national capital, with senior party leader Rahul Gandhi calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi an “arrogant king”.
"Coronation over; the arrogant king is crushing the voice of the people," Rahul tweeted.
Ace wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia were detained by Delhi Police for “violation of law and order” after they breached the security cordon and tried to march towards the new Parliament building which Modi inaugurated on Sunday.
The wrestlers had resumed their agitation against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on April 23, demanding his arrest for alleged sexual harassment of several women grapplers, including a minor.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge slammed the detention of women wrestlers and said democracy is not just about buildings but functions with the voice of people.
"The right to inaugurate the new Parliament was snatched from the President. Women players were beaten up on the streets with dictatorial force," he alleged.
"The three lies of BJP-RSS rulers now stand exposed before the country - Democracy, Nationalism and Save Daughter,” Kharge further said.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi, too, targeted the Centre over the Delhi police action and said the medals on the chest of the players are the "pride of our country".
"With those medals, due to the hard work of the sportspersons, the honour of the country increases. The arrogance of the BJP government has increased so much that the it is mercilessly trampling the voices of our women players under its boots. This is totally wrong," she said.
Earlier, the protesting wrestlers tried to go ahead with their march towards parliament despite the police warning, leading chaotic scenes at the Janta Mantar. Police detained several protesters, dragged and lifted them into buses, and cleared the protest site.
