Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik detained by Delhi Police during protest march.
India’s top wrestlers, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik, were detained by the Delhi Police on Sunday while leading a protest march towards the new Parliament building. The athletes, who have been holding a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar for over a month, were demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the chief of the Wrestling Federation of India, who has been accused of sexually harassing several women players. Chaos ensued as the wrestlers clashed with the police, leading to their detention and the clearing of their protest site.
The tension escalated at Jantar Mantar when the wrestlers attempted to breach the barricades placed to prevent them from reaching the newly inaugurated Parliament. A scuffle ensued between the athletes and the police, with both sides shoving and pushing each other. The Delhi Police detained the protestors and subsequently started dismantling the mats, tents, and hoardings set up by the wrestlers at the protest site.
Athletes’ Response
Refuting the police’s allegations of breaking barricades and violating law and order, Bajrang Punia denied any wrongdoing. While being taken away, Vinesh Phogat expressed her frustration, stating, “naya desh mubarak ho [congratulations on the new country].” Sakshi Malik, in a tweet, criticized the arrest and questioned India’s claim as the “mother of democracy,” expressing concern for India’s daughters in pain.
Opposition Boycott
The Delhi Police justified their actions by stating that the protestors did not have permission to hold the event and warned against engaging in any “anti-national activity.” However, their detainment drew strong condemnation from opposition leaders, who boycotted the parliamentary ceremony and accused the government of suppressing dissent. Rahul Gandhi of the Congress party tweeted a video of the wrestlers’ detainment, criticizing the government’s handling of the situation. Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, demanded the immediate release of the wrestlers, emphasizing the importance of democracy and tolerance. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) highlighted the contradiction between the grandeur of the new parliament building’s inauguration and the treatment of protestors by the police.
The police also prevented hundreds of farmers from joining the protest, reinforcing security measures at the Haryana-Punjab border and other entry points into Delhi. Rakesh Tikait, a prominent farmer leader, expressed disappointment at being denied entry into Delhi and vowed to determine the next course of action. The actions of the Delhi Police received widespread condemnation across the country, with politicians, including Arvind Kejriwal and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, denouncing the mistreatment of athletes who have brought glory to India.
JNU Students Allege Administration Obstructed ParticipationÂ
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students have accused the university administration of obstructing their participation in the ‘Mahila Maha Panchayat’ by intensifying security measures on campus. According to various student organizations, students were detained on campus and prevented from joining the maha panchayat due to an alleged imposition of an undisclosed Section 144. In response to the situation, a group of students marched from the JNU campus to the Vasant Kunj police station, demanding the release of the detainees. A united protest at the North Gate of JNU led to the release of all students and teachers. The JNU administration has not provided a response to these claims.
Demand for Justice
Swati Maliwal, Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women, wrote a letter to the Commissioner of Police demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and action against the police personnel involved in the wrestlers’ detention. Maliwal expressed concern over the failure to address the serious allegations of sexual harassment and criticized the perceived partisan approach of the Delhi Police, stressing the importance of encouraging victims to come forward and seek justice.