WFI row: Protesting wrestlers booked for 'rioting,' over 800 detained
What's the story
After being dragged away for trying to march to the new Parliament while Prime Minister Narendra Modi was inaugurating it, India's star wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and others were booked for rioting and other charges on Sunday. The Delhi Police removed the protesters from Jantar Mantar and detained 109 people, while 700 others were detained from across Delhi.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Wrestlers protesting against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh camped at Jantar Mantar over a month ago after their calls for action against Singh fell on deaf ears for three months. Singh has been accused of sexually harassing wrestlers while enjoying impunity from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP MP alleges the protest against him is politically motivated.
Twitter Post
No point in going back home: Punia
#WATCH | Delhi: Going back home is not an option, I will meet the rest of the wrestlers and we will decide what needs to be done next: Wrestler Bajrang Punia on protesting wrestlers detained by Police at new Parliament House pic.twitter.com/VeDg6n1a7b
— ANI (@ANI) May 28, 2023
Protest
Won't allow protesters to return to Jantar Mantar: Police
With support from khap and farm leaders, the protesters were reportedly marching toward the new Parliament to hold a women's mahapanchayat to call attention to their demands on Sunday. However, they were detained as they didn't have permission to organize the mahapanchayat. The police released the women detainees in the evening and said the protesters wouldn't be allowed to return to Jantar Mantar.
Statement
Delhi Police took 7 days to book Singh: Punia
Olympic bronze medalist Punia said that despite being accused of sexual harassment, the WFI chief attended the new Parliament inauguration, which he called "unfortunate." He said, "It took the Delhi Police only a few hours to register an FIR against us...but it took them seven days to register an FIR against Singh." Notably, Singh was booked only after being reprimanded by the Supreme Court.
Information
Farm leaders stopped at Ghazipur border
Several farm leaders were also allegedly detained for a few hours in Haryana. A group led by Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait headed to join the wrestlers' protest was stopped at the border of the national capital by closing the Ghazipur border.