Indian Olympic wrestlers detained as latest protest escalates

BBC News:

Two Olympic wrestlers have been detained by police in India during the latest protest against the alleged sexual abuse of female athletes.

Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik were among those trying to march to Delhi’s new parliament on Sunday.

They were stopped by hundreds of police, who were on duty for the building’s inauguration.

Footage showed protesters climbing over barricades and being carried away by the authorities.

Two-time World Championship medallist Vinesh Phogat and her sister Sangeeta were also among the country’s top wrestlers to be detained.

“This is wrong,” Ms Malik told reporters after she had been placed on a bus by the authorities.

“We were walking quietly, they dragged us forcefully and detained us and they’re not even telling us where we will be taken.”

“Our people are not being allowed to march,” said Mr Phogat, adding that the protesters “requested with folded hands” that police let them go and that they would go peacefully.

The incident happened as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was officially opening the new parliament nearby, which has replaced the British-era building.

Most opposition parties boycotted the ceremony after criticising the government for not asking President Droupadi Murmu, who is head of state, to open it.