The Delhi Police said on Monday that they were forced to remove the protesting wrestlers from Jantar Mantar in Delhi, the officially designated protest site, after they broke the law “in a frenzy” despite repeated requests.
On Sunday, police and paramilitary personnel detained wrestler Vinesh Phogat during a protest march from Jantar Mantar to New Parliament House against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s alleged sexual harassment of female wrestlers.
According to the police, the protesters disregarded rules and regulations, prompting the intervention of security forces.
The deputy commissioner of police, New Delhi took to Twitter and penned “The dharna and demonstration of the wrestling wrestlers were going on smoothly at the notified place of Jantar Mantar. Yesterday, the protesters flouted the law in a frenzy despite all requests and requests. Hence, the ongoing dharna has been called off.”
The Delhi Police removed tents and other installations set up by wrestlers at Jantar Mantar on Sunday after they were arrested for allegedly breaching the security cordon. The wrestlers were detained as they attempted to make their way to the new Parliament building to hold a women’s “Maha Panchayat.”
Several photos and videos have surfaced on social media showing Delhi Police officers mistreating revered Olympians and Commonwealth Games champions during a peaceful protest march to the newly built parliament building.
The police action drew harsh criticism from opposition leaders, who called it “barbaric” and demanded an explanation from the Union home ministry. They also demanded action against all police personnel who wrongfully and “brutally” detained the wrestlers.