Wrestlers offer to return medals, honours; Vinesh asserts 'protest is political': ‘Itni beizzati toh kar di’

Star Indian wrestlers protesting against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Thursday said the honors given to them by the Indian government are worthless if they are subjected to abuse and misbehavior by the Delhi Police.

Injured wrestlers spoke to the media at Delhi's Jantar Mantar after a scuffle with some police personnel on Wednesday night when some protesters tried to bring folding cots to the protest site. The protesters claimed that the police officer was drunk and misbehaved with female wrestlers.

Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia offered to return the award, saying, "When they (police officers) were manipulating and abusing us, they couldn't see that wrestlers are also Padma Shri (awardees)."

“It wasn't just me. Sakshi was also sitting there."

“If this is how the wrestlers are treated, what will we do with the medals? We will rather live a normal life and return all the medals and awards to the Government of India,” he added.

The reporter asked Punia if she was talking about the medals won on international platforms or the honor given by the government. To this Vinesh interjected, “Saare le jao. Itni beizzati toh kar di hamari. Kuch bhi chhoda nahi (Take everything away. You have already insulted us so much. There is nothing left).”

Several opposition parties have extended support for the wrestlers' protest against the WFI boss over allegations of sexual harassment. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has called a meeting of its MLAs, councilors and party functionaries on Thursday in connection with the matter.

Asked if the protest had been "hijacked by political parties", wrestler Vinesh Phogat said with folded hands, “Listen, it's political. Please ask the Prime Minister to speak to us. Ask the Home Secretary to call us. Grant us justice. We're putting our careers and our lives on the line."