In Punjab, an SSP tweets in favour of wrestlers, ADGP reminds her of call of duty

Being a sportsperson, I recall the moments when we proudly stand on the podium with tears in our eyes, seeing the Indian Tricolor going up and National Anthem being played. Representing crores of Indians.
Sad to see these pictures today. pic.twitter.com/D2hhnjPXJn

— Avneet Kaur Sidhu OLY (@avneet_sidhu) May 28, 2023

“Being a sportsperson, I recall the moments when we proudly stand on the podium with tears in our eyes, seeing the Indian Tricolor going up and National Anthem being played. Representing crores of Indians. Sad to see these pictures today,” tweeted Sidhu.

The tweet was widely shared with many praises coming the way of the SSP. It gathered nearly 82,000 views with more than 2,000 likes.

Early Tuesday, ADGP (Law and Order) Gurinder Singh Dhillon responded to the SSP’s tweet. Prefacing his tweet with a smiley, Dhillon wrote, “I appreciate your feelings but. As police officer if one is on duty and target is un interrupted inauguration of New Parliament Building .or for that matter may be even PM visit. I am sure Police officer on duty will again stand on podium for not allowing disruption. #Law and #order”

Definitely Sir.
Duty comes first 24*7. And it’s our duty to maintain law and order, no matter what.
But it’s disheartening to see such images of Olympic champions and I wish that this issue gets resolved amicably and doesn’t lead to more such situations.

— Avneet Kaur Sidhu OLY (@avneet_sidhu) May 30, 2023

A couple of hours later, Avneet Kaur Sidhu responded to the ADGP’s tweet by agreeing that duty came first but adding that it was disheartening to see such images.

“Definitely Sir. Duty comes first 24*7. And it’s our duty to maintain law and order, no matter what. But it’s disheartening to see such images of Olympic champions and I wish that this issue gets resolved amicably and doesn’t lead to more such situations,” tweeted SSP Fazilka.

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Protesting wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia were detained by Delhi Police on Sunday after they breached the security cordon while trying to move towards the new Parliament building, where a women's Mahapanchayat was planned for the day. (Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

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In chaotic scenes witnessed at the Jantar Mantar, wrestlers and police officers shoved and pushed each other as Vinesh Phogat and her cousin sister Sangeeta Phogat tried to breach the barricades. (Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

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The police officials were also seen clearing the protest site, where the wrestlers had resumed their agitation against the Wresting Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on April 23. (Express Photo by Nihal Koshie)

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All protesters were detained and forcefully boarded in buses by Police. "They have been detained for violating law and order. We will take legal action after inquiry in due course of time," said Dependra Pathak, Special CP, Law and Order. (Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

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The Delhi Police had beefed up the security at Jantar Mantar following protesting wrestlers' call for a 'Mahila Samman Mahapanchayat'. (Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

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It seems the police will not allow the wrestlers back to the protest site though no official statement has been made in this regard. (Express Photo by Nihal Koshie)

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The police officers began clearing the protest site by removing the cots, mattresses, cooler fans and the tarpaulin ceiling along with other belongings of the wrestlers. (Express Photo by Nihal Koshie)

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The champion wrestlers had resumed their agitation against Wresting Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on April 23, demanding his arrest. (Express Photo by Nihal Koshie)

Avneet Kaur Sidhu is married to Rajpal Singh, a fellow Olympian and former captain of the national hockey team. He, too, is an officer in the Punjab Police. Several Olympians, Asian Games, and Commonwealth medallists serve in the Punjab Police in various capacities. However, only Avneet Kaur Sidhu’s remarks in support of the wrestlers have come forth till now.

Avneet Kaur Sidhu had taken part in the Beijing Olympics in 2008. She is a gold medallist in the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games in the 10m rifle (pairs) competition. She also won a silver in the individual event in the same games. She has also won a bronze medal in the Asian Games in Doha. She was awarded the Arjuna Award in 2008 and was inducted into the Punjab Police as a deputy superintendent of police for her sporting achievements.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Avneet Kaur Sidhu said that while it was clear that the police had to do their duty, it would have been better if things had not come to this pass.

“I agree with our seniors and had I been posted at that place even I would have had to perform my duty but having been a sportsperson and having been at the same place in sports as them one feels that the matter should not have reached this stage,” she said.

Sidhu added that many sportspersons are in places of influence and they should intervene to get the matter solved as the wrestlers have been protesting for long.

ADGP Gurinder Singh Dhillon did not respond to phone calls or text messages.