Guwahati, 4 May: A scuffle broke out between the wrestlers who are protesting against the president of Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Delhi police on Wednesday night at Jantar Mantar in the national capital.
The fight started when the wrestlers sought to bring mattresses inside so they could sleep at night after the daylong protest. The female wrestlers claim that the police assaulted and thrashed them during the incident.
In an official statement, Delhi Police said: “During the protest at Jantar Mantar, Mr. Somnath Bharti came at the protest site along with folding beds without permission. On intervention, the supporters became aggressive in trying to get the beds out of the truck. Subsequently, a minor altercation took place in which Somnath Bharti along with two others was detained.”
The wrestlers were captured on camera arguing with uniformed Delhi Police officers. Many people named one of the police officers who was allegedly targeting them on camera.
Meanwhile, well-known wrestler Bajrang Punia issued the following statement to the media: “I request the government to take back all the medals I have won.”
A senior member of the Aam Aadmi Party Somnath Bharti made the noteworthy claim that the police held him for supporting the wrestlers’ demand for beds.
Since the last 11 days, the wrestlers have been demanding the removal of BJP MP and chief of the country’s wrestling federation Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexually harassing some of the top wrestlers. Singh on the other hand has denied any wrongdoing but said he will resign if Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the party asks him to.
You can also read: India: Congress Leader Priyanka Gandhi Joins Wrestlers Protest In Delhi