What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
After detaining the protesting wrestlers, Delhi Police cleared their protest area in Jantar Mantar before filing an FIR against them
NEW DELHI: Is the wrestlers’ fight for justice coming to an end? While India was glued to their television sets watching the inauguration of the grand, state-of-the-art new Parliament building, Delhi Police had their work cut out for the smooth conduct of the proceedings as the protesting wrestlers decided to make their voices heard.
The protesting wrestlers, led by one of the most decorated women wrestlers, Vinesh Phogat and Olympic bronze medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, saw their march to Parliament cut short by an equally adept Delhi Police on Sunday.
To make matters worse, the men and women in khakis also removed the tents of the protestors from Jantar Mantar, where they were protesting.
Later in the evening, Delhi Police filed an First Information Report (FIR) against the organisers of the wrestlers protest and others who were involved in it.
The FIR has been filed under IPC sections 147, 149, 186, 188, 332, 353 and Section 3 of the PDPP Act.
For the past 35 days, the wrestlers have been protesting against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, demanding his arrest and resignation from posts he held. Wrestlers alleged that Singh was involved in sexually harassing female wrestlers for the past two years.
With India glued to what is happening inside the new Parliament building, the wrestlers decided to make their voice heard as they called for a ‘Mahila mahapanchayat’ outside the new Parliament building – inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Keeping in mind the situation, a huge number of police personnel were deployed in central Delhi, while Section 144 (prohibitory orders) were imposed around the Parliament.
They cut off support for the protesting wrestlers, and the Delhi Police also sealed the borders of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The borders of Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur have been sealed since morning, leading to massive traffic jams and discomfort for commuters.
Police also detained several supporters at the border. Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait was also detained at the Ghazipur border.
The action turned aggressive around noon, when the protesting wrestlers began their march towards the new Parliament building. The police use their might to restrain the champion wrestlers from marching towards the new Parliament building.
In all, the police detailed some 200 people, including Phogat, Malik and Punia. They were taken to Kapashera, Burari and Kalkaji police stations.
Meanwhile, a team of Delhi Police personnel entered the protest site of the wrestlers and removed the tents they had put up. The Delhi Police officers said that the protestors will not be allowed to come to Jantar Mantar as they cannot get permission to hold their protest after 6 pm. The Delhi Police are also contemplating taking legal action against the protesting wrestlers.
However, Sakshi Malik tweeted from inside Burari police station that their protest will continue and they will again go back to Jantar Mantar as soon as they are released from the police station.
