Ruckus at Jantar Mantar: Police say “altercation” after beds not allowed, wrestlers claim “manhandled”

Following a late-night brawl between wrestlers and Delhi Police in Jantar Mantar, the wrestlers claimed that they were abused and manhandled by police officers at the protest site. In response, the Delhi Police stated on Thursday that wrestling supporters grew rowdy after they were prevented from using foldable mattresses at the protest location, something they were not permitted to do, causing disruption.

“Folding beds were brought to the protest site in Jantar Mantar. Since there was no permission, we didn’t allow it, so some of the supporters of the protesting wrestlers tried to take out the beds from the truck and this led to an altercation,” DCP Pranav Tayal said.

DCP Tayal further stated that the wrestlers have been requested to submit a complaint and that a medical examination of the officer accused of being “drunk” will be done.

“We have told the wrestlers to file a complaint about their grievances, and we will take appropriate action…a medical examination of the officer against whom they have made allegations is being conducted,” the DCP stated.

Wrestlers claim that inebriated Delhi Police officers assaulted them as they attempted to bring in mattresses to sleep on after a day of rain.

“We were bringing the beds since we were facing trouble sleeping due to rain. Sakshi is crying. This is the respect they are giving to our daughters, abusing them,” said the Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia to ANI.

Vinesh Phogat, a World Championships, and Commonwealth Games medallist, also accused the cops of being inebriated and shoving and abusing female protesters.

“He is drunk. He hit someone on his head. He abused me and pushed several women protestors,” claimed Vinesh.

Ace wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshee Mallikh, and other top grapplers are protesting the WFI chief’s sexual harassment claims and seeking Brij Bhushan’s arrest. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Pranav Tayal, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Somnath Bharti arrived at the protest location with folding beds without authorization.

“During the wrestler’s protest at Jantar Mantar, AAP leader Somnath Bharti came to the protest site along with folding beds without permission. When we intervened, the supporters became aggressive and tried to get the beds out of the truck,” he said.

According to Pranav Tayal, a little conflict occurred, and Somnath Bharti, along with two others, were detained.

Earlier on Wednesday, PT Usha, the president of the Indian Olympic Association, appeared to Jantar Mantar, where wrestlers have been staging a protest for the past 11 days, demanding that action be taken against WFI chairman Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing sexual harassment claims.

The IOA president came at Jantar Mantar earlier today, where wrestlers have been protesting for the past 11 days, demanding that action be taken against WFI chairman Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing sexual harassment claims.

Usha had previously caused feathers by suggesting that the wrestlers should have sought the IOA instead of taking to the streets against the WFI and its president, whom the wrestlers accused of sexual harassment and athlete mismanagement.

“Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is having a committee for sexual harassment, instead of going to the streets they (protesting wrestlers) could have come to us earlier but they did not come to IOA. It is not good for sports not only for wrestlers, they should also have some discipline,” the IOA president had told mediapersons.

Wrestlers had voiced dissatisfaction with her April 27 remarks. Three months after notable wrestlers launched a protest against the WFI Chief, the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced the formation of a ‘oversight committee’ to investigate claims brought against the WFI, its chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, and other trainers.

The committee was entrusted with delivering a report to the ministry on the matter. In April, the wrestlers launched a new protest. On April 30, the Delhi Police filed two FIRs against WFI president Singh, accusing him of sexual harassment and exploitation of female wrestlers. Top Indian wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and many others have joined the protest against the WFI chairman.