Wrestlers detained: TN CM Stalin says Sengol has ‘bent’ the very first day

Taking a dig at the Centre’s handling of the ongoing women wrestlers protest in Delhi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Sunday (May 28) said in Chennai that the Sengol installed in the new Parliament building has “bent” the very first day. His sharp reaction came after the police detained protesting wrestlers in Delhi.

The target of Stalin’s jibe at the PM Narendra Modi-led Union government was the hype around the Sengol, as the sceptre is said to be symbolic of governance, upholding justice. It was installed in the new Parliament building on Sunday, after PM Modi inaugurated the edifice in the national capital.

Stalin was reacting to the Delhi Police detaining ace wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia for violation of law and order in the capital city after they breached the security cordon while trying to move towards the new Parliament building for a planned women’s Mahapanchayat (grand council).

Also read: Wrestlers protest | Ready to ‘sacrifice’ medals to ensure justice for victims: Bajrang Punia

Posting on Twitter, Stalin said months have passed since the women wrestlers raised the allegation against the BJP leader but the saffron party leadership has not acted against Singh. “Police detaining them after dragging them is condemnable. This shows the Sengol has bent the very first day. Is it fair that such atrocity should also happen on a day of (new Parliament building) inauguration that sidestepped the President and amid opposition boycott,” Stalin, also chief of the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, added.

The champion wrestlers have been agitating against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh since April 23, demanding his arrest for the alleged sexual harassment of several women grapplers, including a minor. Singh is the BJP MP from Kaiserganj.

(With agency inputs)