New Delhi: The protesting wrestlers, who were detained by the Delhi Police on Sunday and are now facing FIRs, will not be allowed to continue their protest at Jantar Mantar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Pranav Tayal said.
“If the wrestlers apply for permission to stage a sit-in again in the future, they will be allowed at any of the suitable, notified places other than Jantar Mantar,” the DCP’s official handle tweeted in Hindi.
यदि कुश्ती पहलवान भविष्य में दोबारा धरने प्रदर्शन की अनुमति की अर्जी लगाते हैं, तो उन्हें जंतर मंतर के अलावा अन्य उपयुक्त, सूचित स्थानों में से किसी जगह अनुमति दी जाएगी।
— DCP New Delhi (@DCPNewDelhi) May 29, 2023
In a video message on Monday night, Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik highlighted the police brutality the wrestlers had faced on Sunday. “For those of our supporters who are still waiting for us, I want to say that we spent the whole of today deciding how to take this protest forward. We have not taken a step back, the movement is still on. Please keep supporting us, and we will soon let you know what our next steps are,” she said in Hindi.
सभी देशवासी जिन्होंने अब तक साथ दिया उनका दिल से आभार। हमारा आंदोलन अभी ख़त्म नहीं हुआ है। इंसाफ़ की लड़ाई में हार मानने वाले नहीं हैं। जल्द आंदोलन का अगला प्लान आपको बताएँगे। pic.twitter.com/3LcHiBIHU8
— Sakshee Malikkh (@SakshiMalik) May 29, 2023
The protesting wrestlers were roughed up and detained by the Delhi Police on Sunday, and videos of the police action have been widely condemned by opposition leaders and women’s rights activists. Javelin champion Neeraj Chopra, India football captain Sunil Chhetri and shooter Abhinav Bindra too have spoken out strongly against the treatment meted out to the wrestlers.
Last night was sleepless, haunted by the horrifying images of my fellow Indian wrestlers protesting. It’s high time we establish independent safeguarding measures across sporting organizations. We must ensure that if such situations arise, they are dealt with utmost sensitivity…
— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) May 29, 2023
Former IPS officer N.C. Asthana, who served as the Kerala DGP, has stoked controversy after he tweeted that the wrestlers “may even be shot if necessary”. “Right now, they have just been dragged and thrown away like a sack of garbage. Article 129 gives the police the right to shoot. Under proper circumstances, that wish will also be fulfilled too. But to know that it is necessary to be educated. See you again at the postmortem table!” Asthana said.
In another tweet, Asthana said, “Some fools doubt the right of the police to shoot. If you can read English, then read the decision of the Supreme Court in Akhilesh Prasad’s case. Those illiterate who cannot read, it is good advice not to test this right. Wives will be widowed and children orphaned without any reason! stay fit.”
Responding to Asthana’s violent outburst, wrestler Bajrang Punia, who has been active in the protests, said, “This IPS officer is talking about shooting us. Brother, I am standing in front here. Tell me where to come to get shot… I swear that I will not show my back, I will take your bullet on my chest. This is what has remained, now it is right to do with us.”
The wrestlers first began their protest against BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in January. They have accused Singh of sexually harassing at least seven female wrestlers, including one minor. The protest regained momentum on April 23, when the wrestlers began a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar and said they would not leave until Singh is arrested.
Singh, meanwhile, attended the inauguration of the new parliament building presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. Many have questioned why he has not yet been arrested, despite one of the two FIRs against being under the POCSO Act.