In a dramatic turn of events, India's renowned wrestlers, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik, were detained by the Delhi police on Sunday, just hours before a Mahila Mahapanchayat (women's conclave) was scheduled to take place near the newly-inaugurated Parliament building.
The athletes have been leading a protest demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and an MP of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), over allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation made by at least seven women wrestlers, including a minor.
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As the wrestlers were being taken away in buses, Vinesh Phogat ironically remarked, "Naya desh mubarak ho" (congratulations on the new country), highlighting the irony of their detention near the new Parliament building.
This is how our champions are being treated. The world is watching us! #WrestlersProtest pic.twitter.com/rjrZvgAlSO
— Sakshee Malikkh (@SakshiMalik) May 28, 2023
साक्षी मलिक, विनेशला पोलिसांकडून धक्काबुक्की, 'एकीकडे नव्या संसदेचं उद्घाटन, दुसरीकडे लोकशाहीची हत्या', कारवाईवर पैलवानांची टीका#Jantarmantar #DelhiPolice #Wrestlersprotest #NewParliament @Phogat_Vinesh @SakshiMalik pic.twitter.com/MTZrczR31P
— BBC News Marathi (@bbcnewsmarathi) May 28, 2023
#WATCH | Delhi: Security personnel stop & detain protesting wrestlers as they try to march towards the new Parliament from their site of protest at Jantar Mantar.
— ANI (@ANI) May 28, 2023
Wrestlers are trying to march towards the new Parliament as they want to hold a women's Maha Panchayat in front of… pic.twitter.com/3vfTNi0rXl
Multiple buses filled with protesters were taken to different police stations, and the police proceeded to dismantle the protest site at Jantar Mantar, removing tents, hoardings, and even the Tricolour that the wrestlers had displayed.
The Delhi Police stated that no protestors would be allowed near the new Parliament building, as they did not have permission to hold the event. Additionally, the police warned the wrestlers against engaging in any "anti-national activity."
Byte of Joint CP Dependra Pathak on the protests in support of the #wrestlers #WrestlerProtest @DelhiPolice #Parliament #parliamentinauguration pic.twitter.com/hLVfFyfXOp
— Payal Mohindra (@payal_mohindra) May 28, 2023
Wrestlers @Phogat_Vinesh, @SakshiMalik, @BajrangPunia, @sangeeta_phogat detained near Jantar Mantar by Delhi Police. Photos for @ThePrintIndia pic.twitter.com/5eF7QRGJPO
— Manisha Mondal (@manishamondal25) May 28, 2023
In a bid to show solidarity, hundreds of farmers were stopped by the police at the Haryana-Punjab border near Ambala city, preventing them from entering the capital.
Stringent security measures were implemented in several districts of Haryana, with thorough vehicle checks being conducted at entry points. Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait expressed disappointment over the restrictions and vowed to determine the next course of action.
Notably, the wrestlers' protest comes after a year-long farmers' protest against three agriculture laws, which ultimately led to the laws being repealed in November 2021.
The protest sites at Delhi's border entry points, such as Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur, witnessed prolonged sit-in agitations by thousands of farmers.
Barricades broken, wrestlers detained amid mega march to new Parliament building. Bajrang Poonia, Sakshi Malik detained. @Sreya_Chattrjee gets us more details.
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) May 28, 2023
#ITVideo #WrestlersProtest | @Gauravcsawant pic.twitter.com/qwXXukb6ew
Breaking! the Delhi Police is removing tents and coolers from jantar mantar. This after detaining all the wrestlers and their supporters @thetribunechd @wrestlerprotest
— Vinayak Padmadeo (@Padmadeo) May 28, 2023
India's vibrant democracy crushed on the streets amidst the grand inauguration of the biggest temple of democracy 💔
— Брат (@B5001001101) May 28, 2023
Women champions who won us medals are now beaten on streets 🙏#MyWrestlersMyPride #WrestlersProtest pic.twitter.com/S3A4ZxNJ4e
The Delhi Police, anticipating potential disruptions to law and order, announced that all vehicles entering Delhi on Sunday would be scrutinized, and individuals deemed capable of causing disturbances would be denied entry. A traffic advisory was issued, designating the New Delhi district as a controlled area from 5:30 am to 3 pm. Only public transport vehicles, civil service aspirants, residents, labeled vehicles, and emergency vehicles would be permitted in the area during this period.
Farmers coming from Punjab to participate in peaceful "Mahila Samman Mahapanchayat" organized to support women wrestlers, protesting at Jantar Mantar stopped at Punjab~Haryana border. So, now u cannot support your sister & daughters, in their fight for justice ! #WrestlersProtest pic.twitter.com/1vjz5YiskS
— Ramandeep Singh Mann (@ramanmann1974) May 28, 2023
As part of their preparations, the police sought permission from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to utilize the MC Primary Girls School in the Kanjawala Chowk area of Old Bawana as a temporary jail. However, Mayor Shelly Oberoi refused to grant permission.
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