THE date was May 28. In Mokhra village in Rohtak district of Haryana, village residents, khap leaders and farmers had gathered in an ancient kothi. As they watched the visuals of their "daughters" being dragged and stomped upon by Delhi Police in the national capital on a loop on their mobile phones, they seethed with anger. Words like "dictatorship", "tanashahi" (Fascism), "nindaniya" (condemnable) and "atyachar" (atrocity) reverberated the walls of the kothi.
A few kilometres from where their daughters-protesting wrestlers who are demanding the arrest of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh -were roughed up, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Parliament. The protesting wrestlers had planned a march from Jantar Mantar to the new Parliament. On the way, they were stopped.
The police dragged a struggling Sangeeta Phogat and shoved her into the police van. She was later detained, along with Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and other protesters.
A few days later, the incident is still a talking point in Mokhra village. A few men are gathered at the Bali Pehalwan Darwaza-a prominent landmark-and are puffing hookah while discussing the May 28 incident. They feel if justice is not served soon, the wrestlers' protest might grow bigger with women and men, youth and old coming on the streets.
Esta historia es de la edición June 21, 2023 de Outlook.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición June 21, 2023 de Outlook.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Dera, Drugs And Despair
Punjab poll pitch is seeing interesting twists and turns this election season
Allure Of Hatefulness Beyond Hate Speech
Polarisation between the Hindus and the Muslims is an unappetising reality, an ugliness that will not go away even after the votes get counted
Shine Off Sonar Bangla
Since the ant displacement movements against the Left Front government in 2006-08, Bengal has seen increased corruption, communalisation of politics and the rise of welfarism
Carnatic Cauldron
For the BJP-led NDA, 400 paar will remain a dream if the South Indian states choose to look the other way
The Young & the Restless
A new crop of young Dalit leaders shine in Uttar Pradesh's political Armament
In The Name Of Ram
For the people of Hazaribagh, famous for its Ram Navamii, life is a tussle between peace, processions and politics
Shell Company?
The power play between the BJP and the BJD in Odisha appears to be an electoral gimmick. Post elections, they may have each other's back
Peak Season in the Pir Panjal
Politicians excel at stirring up emotions at election time, and Kashmiris are torn between responding with cries or slogans
Seeds of Betrayal
Forget about doubling their income, Haryana's farmers are living a life in penury
Capital Contest
Could an alliance of former foes prevent a hat-trick for the BJP in Delhi?