Why the protesting wrestlers and Delhi Police clashed at Jantar Mantar in Delhi
The protesters are demanding the resignation of WFI President and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and filing of an FIR against him for sexually harassing women wrestlers. (Photo: IANS)
The protesting wrestlers at the Jantar Mantar had a clash with the Delhi Police late on Wednesday (May 3) night. The wrestlers alleged that the cops were drunk and used force against them. Delhi Police, however, has denied these allegations.
The scuffle resulted in detention of few wrestlers, while few of them got injured. The standoff reached to a point that nearly 200-300 policemen had to be called in to restore normalcy.
What triggered the clash?
The protesters wanted to bring in wooden benches and new mattresses at the protest site as their old mattresses had become wet and soggy due to rain. However, Delhi Police did not allow the protesters bring in benches at the protest site.
According to a report by Times of India, AAP MLA Somnath Bharti had come with some folding beds for the protesters, but was told by an ACP that it would not be allowed. The wrestlers then started taking the beds inside the protest side, which started the scuffle.
Bharti was detained by the police at the Mandir Marg police station as other activists also arrived at the scene and the situation escalated further.
VIDEO | Ruckus between protesting wrestlers and Delhi Police at Jantar Mantar. More details are awaited. pic.twitter.com/AIS5zgH4My
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 3, 2023
Wrestlers sufffer injuries
The protesters alleged that the Delhi Police manhandleled wrestlers which resulted in wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s brother Dushyat Phogat getting injured. He was taken to a hospital.
Vinesh Phogat alleged that some policemen were drunk and they hurled abuses at her and other protestors. “I was abused and pushed around by policemen. Where were the women police personnel. If you want to kill us, then kill us. Did we win medals for the country to see this day,” Phogat said.
In a video that was circulated on social medial, wrestler Sakshi Malik, who is one of the leading protesters against BJP MP and WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, was seen crying after the crackdown by the Delhi Police.
Sakshi Malik, Olympic Medal winner. She cried when she won medal for the country and our Tricolour went up.
— Ashish Singh (@AshishSinghKiJi) May 3, 2023
Today she is crying because of Modi and Amit Shah's Delhi Police.
India should remember this.#दिल्ली_पुलिस_शर्म_करो pic.twitter.com/nMzK8I3Xhi
Moreover, when the male protesters including Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik’s husband Satyawart Kadian intervened, they were allegedly beaten up by the police.
When police tried to detain Bajrang Punia, Satyawart, Jitender Kinha, Vinesh Phogat tried to intervene but was allegedly hit by a female constable. Vinesh also alleged that ACP Dharmender Kumar Singh abused her.
As the situation got tense, several policemen arrived at the site. While other protestors were led away, only 20 remained at the site.
Bajranj Punia calls for restraint
Wrestler Bajrang Punia urged the farmers community to head for Jantar Mantar as undue pressure was being exerted upon the protesters by the administration.
At the same time, Punia also requested his fellow protesters not to enter into any kind of spat with the police officials as it could backfire.
What the Delhi Police said
The Delhi Police denied using any physical force on the wrestlers. “Bharti along with two others have been detailed. We are looking into the matter,” Delhi Police said.
What the Supreme Court has said
The Supreme Court on Thursday (May 4) heard an urgent petition filed by the wrestlers after Wednesday night’s scuffle. The court, however, concluded the hearing saying that an FIR has been filed and wrestlers have been given protection by the police. It also rejected the demand for a court-monitored probe.
Protest enters the 12th day
As the protest enters its 12th day, scores of influential people are thronging at the protest site. The wrestlers are still pressing on their demand of the resignation of WFI President and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and filing of an FIR against him for sexually harassing and intimidating several women wrestlers from 2012-2022.