‘They can arrest us if they want’ says Rakesh Tikait in support of protesting wrestlers

Rakesh Tikait, leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), said that the farmers are also prepared to be arrested in response to the wrestlers’ protest.

Tikait went on to say that “such an ugly situation is the result of the dying Democracy in the country.”

“They can arrest us if they want. Situations like these arise when Democracy dies in a country. People who should be in jail are enjoying gatherings instead. It took 90 years for the country to get its independence. Farmers’ protest also went on for 13 months. This protest has also been going on for 40 days,” Tikait expressed while conversing with the reporters.

Wrestlers have been protesting Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over harassment cases involving female athletes, including a minor. Farmers attempted to join the protesters in Delhi as well.

Earlier today, security personnel in Delhi stopped and detained protesting wrestlers as they attempted to march towards the new Parliament from their protest site at Jantar Mantar.

According to DCP Sonipat East Gaurav Rajpurohit, “unsocial elements” will not be allowed to enter the national capital to ensure the smooth operation of the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building.

The Delhi Police increased security in the national capital, including along its borders, ahead of the wrestlers’ march. The police barricaded all of the national capital’s borders in order to prevent any protests or gatherings.