National Desk, 28 May: Several wrestlers were detained for trying to protest in front of the new Parliament building. Among them are several Olympians and Commonwealth Games medalists. They have been on sit-in for several days demanding the arrest of Wrestling Association of India President Brijbhushan Sharan Singh.
Brijbhushan has been accused of sexual assault. However, ruling BJP MP Brij Bhushan denied the allegations. The athletes have been protesting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi since last month demanding his removal. They had already announced that they would protest in front of the new Parliament building on Sunday’s inauguration day.
Police were also prepared to deal with the protests. Delhi is under tight security. There are barricades everywhere, the vehicle is being stopped and checked. Thousands of policemen have been deployed in central Delhi. All entrances and exits to the Central Secretariat and Udyog Bhawan stations of the Delhi Metro were closed. Police have already rejected approval for the wrestlers’ programme. The wrestlers also went round to see the protest in front of the new Parliament building. “We respect the athletes,” said Delhi Special Police Commissioner (Law and Order) Dipendra Pathak. “But the inauguration of the new Parliament building cannot allow any disorder,” he said.
On the other hand, farm leader Rakesh Tikait has sent a message of support to the wrestlers. He announced that thousands of farmers are stranded at the Ghazipur border in Delhi. Then try to enter Delhi through various borders. The police are ready in advance. An official said there is tight guard at the border. Every vehicle will be checked and entered. Police have received a request from the Delhi Municipal Corporation to set up a temporary jail. Police are looking to build the jail at the old Bawanai municipality-run primary school. He has sought the permission of the council.