The recent protest by Indian wrestlers at Jantar Mantar in Delhi has taken a political turn as some attendees used the platform to raise anti-Modi slogans and Sangeeta Phogat using Instagram to send out threats
The wrestlers were protesting against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the Wrestling Federation of India’s president, who has been accused of sexual harassment and intimidation by several wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik. The politicization of the wrestlers protest raises concerns about the extent to which politicians are willing to exploit public outrage for their own gain.
Sangeeta Phogat wife of Bajrang Punia threatens PM Modi during wrestlers protest on Instagram
Why did Sangeeta Phogat, wife of Bajrang Punia, delete this Instagram post now? Coz this shows that the main purpose of this so-called Protest is to surround Modi & not to raise voice against sexual harassment pic.twitter.com/jlp6KQCP69
— MJ (@MJ_007Club) April 29, 2023
Modi teri kabar Khudegi chants at protest.
They are protesting for Justice or has this become completely a poltical campaign? pic.twitter.com/AvATs7h6mM
— Ankur Singh (@iAnkurSingh) April 28, 2023
Modi Teri Kabar Khudegi slogans at "protest site".
It's just a matter of time, soon you'll see anti Hindu/India slogans as well… Many athletes who used to pose as Hindutva warriors & nationalists are going to expose themselves..
Just wait n watch!! pic.twitter.com/RLuGOrP4dO
— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) April 28, 2023
Instagram status of Sangeeta Phogat#WrestlersProtest pic.twitter.com/UZSNbOKVDP
— Kreately.in (@KreatelyMedia) April 29, 2023
Political slogans at wrestlers protest
While the wrestlers did not participate in the slogans, some individuals used the opportunity to raise controversial slogans such as “Modi Teri Kabar Khudegi” which translates to “Modi you will be buried, tomorrow if not today.” The slogans sparked controversy as they were seen as politically motivated and distracting from the original purpose of the protest, which was to demand action against Singh.
Politicians have also joined the protests, including Pappu Yadav, who is accused in multiple criminal cases. Yadav used the platform to target and mock UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in his speech, indicating his political motives behind attending the protests. Similarly, former governor Satyapal Malik also joined the protests and made several comments attacking the Modi government, creating further controversy.
The wrestlers have demanded action against Singh and have continued their protests even after the Delhi police announced their readiness to file FIR against him. Singh, who is also a BJP MP, has said that he respects the court order and is ready to resign if that will satisfy the protesting wrestlers.
The protests by Indian wrestlers are not the first to be politicized in recent years. In 2019 and 2020, protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act saw slogans raised to bury Hindutva and Savarkar, among others.
Similarly, students at Aligarh Muslim University raised slogans against UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, indicating a growing trend of using public protests to make political statements.
The Indian government and sports bodies need to take a more proactive approach to addressing issues of sexual harassment and intimidation in the sports industry. This includes implementing stricter regulations and protocols to prevent such incidents from occurring, as well as providing support and resources to athletes who have experienced such abuse.