Protesting Wrestlers detained; police clear the protest site at Jantar Mantar

28th of May, 2023, New Delhi
The protesting wrestlers were detained by the police when they attempted to march to Parliament after breaching the security cordon. The prominent wrestlers such as Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia were detained for violating law and order. They planned to march to the new Parliament building in preparation for a women's ‘Mahapanchayat.'
The Jantar Mantar protest site descended into chaos as wrestlers and police officers engaged in heated exchanges. Vinesh Phogat, her cousin sister Sangeeta Phogat, and Sakshi Malik attempted to breach the barricades, which exacerbated the situation.
There was shoving and pushing between the wrestlers and the police officers.
Vinesh fought her detention vehemently, while Sangeeta clung to her cousin sister, who was lying on the road, prolonging the dramatic struggle.
The police officials dragged and lifted them into buses along with several other wrestlers and their supporters.
“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.
“We need to assess the entire situation. As you have seen the barricades have been broken and they moved ahead despite request and warning. So that is why we have removed them from here.
“The bottom line is, peace and tranquility will be maintained. We will ensure professional steps to see to it that nothing goes wrong,” he added.
Earlier in the day, Pathak urged the wrestlers to not indulge in anti-national activities on the “historic day” of inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Today is the inauguration of our new Parliament. It is an important day for our country and proud moment. So any type of agitation or march on this day is anti-national. No way Delhi Policy can afford any lapse. We respect and love our athletes but can't allow any untoward incident,” he said.
Later, police personnel were seen lifting and removing the cots, mats, tarpaulins, banners and placards from the site and dumping into a van.
The protesting wrestlers and their supporters have been taken to different locations in the national capital.
While Bajrang has been detained at a police station near Mayur Vihar, Sakshi is in Burari. Vinesh and Sangeeta were taken to Kalkaji.
The Delhi Police had beefed up security at Jantar Mantar following protesting wrestlers' call for a ‘Mahila Samman Mahapanchayat' before the new Parliament Building on Sunday.
A teary-eyed Vinesh, who showed maximum resistance, later said from a bus that they are being punished for demanding justice.
“The accused is roaming free. He is being given shelter by the government and athletes who won medals for the country are now being put in jail for demanding justice for country's daughters,” Vinesh said.
“Welcome to the new country,” she quipped from the bus window.
Bajrang feels grave injustice was being meted out to them for demanding justice.
“The accused has such audacity that he is talking about changing the POCSO Act and you are doing nothing against him and here are athletes who are demanding justice with folded hands and you are ill-treating them,” he said.
“Over 2000 of our supporters were detained. Everywhere dictatorship is going on.”
Later, he tweeted, “Does any government treat the champions of the country like this? What crime have we committed?”
Sakshi also took to twitter to vent out her anger against the government and the Delhi Police.
“This is how our champions are being treated. The world is watching us!”
Sexual abuser goon Brij Bhushan is sitting in the Parliament today and we are being dragged on the road. Sad day for Indian sports,” the Olympic medallist wrote.
“Was it a crime to bring medals for the country? if yes, then hang us,” she added.
During the melee, police officers dragged and lifted the wrestlers into buses, along with a large number of other participants and supporters. The wrestlers were then transported to undisclosed locations, raising concerns about their safety and well-being.
On April 23, these champion wrestlers began their protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Their main demand was that he be arrested for alleged sexual harassment of several female wrestlers, including a minor.
Despite police warnings not to approach Parliament, the wrestlers did so, resulting in the unfortunate altercation, a police spokesperson said.
The incident has sparked a wave of criticism against the government, with many expressing outrage at how the protesters were treated.
The detention of protesting wrestlers by Delhi Police on Sunday drew widespread condemnation from politicians and former athletes, who called the action a “shame on the government.”
The dramatic scenes at Jantar Mantar serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle of athletes fighting for justice and accountability in the sporting community.
The wrestlers who have been detained at the forefront of this battle continue to emphasise the critical need for action and reform to ensure the safety and well-being of all athletes.
Ironically, both Bajrang and Vinesh were detained just metres away from Brij Bhushan's official residence at 21, Ashoka Road.
Thousands of police personnel were deployed and multiple layers of barricades were in place in the Lutyens' Delhi. The wrestlers, staging a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar which is about two kilometres from the Parliament building, had said they will go ahead with their ‘Mahapanchayat' at any cost.