Wrestlers detained after scuffle with police
NEW DELHI: Chaos unfolded in the heart of the country’s capital on Sunday as top wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, were detained by Delhi Police while atempting to march towards the new Parliament building.
The athletes had planned a ‘Mahila Samman Mahapanchayat’ (a women’s large assembly) as part of their ongoing protest against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Singh, a member of the ruling BJP, has been accused by the wrestlers of sexually harassing several female athletes.
These allegations have stirred a nationwide controversy, leading to widespread protests demanding his arrest.
Delhi Police had ramped up security measures at Jantar Mantar, the designated protest site located about two kilometres from the parliament building, ahead of the planned ‘Mahapanchayat’.
Despite the increased security, the wrestlers remained adamant about going forward with their protest.
The tension escalated when the wrestlers, led by Vinesh Phogat and her cousin sister Sangeeta Phogat, atempted to breach the security barricades. The clash was followed by shoving and pushing between the protesters and police officers.
“All protesters were detained and forcefully boarded in buses by Police,” said Dependra Pathak, Special Commissioner of Police, Law and Order.
He added that the athletes were “detained for violating law and order,” and assured that legal action would be taken “ater an inquiry in due course of time.”
Following the detentions, police officers proceeded to clear the protest site, which had been active since the wrestlers resumed their protest against Singh on April 23.
The protesting athletes, which include Olympic medallists and Asian Games gold winners, have been unwavering in their demand for Mr
Singh’s arrest.
The use of force by the police, they insisted, would not deter them from carrying on with their peaceful protest and assembly.
Khap leaders were detained from Rohtak, Bhiwani, Hisar, Jind and other parts of the state. Binain khap leaders were detained from Narwana railway station in Jind.
Police closed the entry and exit gates of the gurudwara along with large trucks parked on the roads leading to the area.