Ruckus at Jantar Mantar: DCW chief Swati Maliwal detained as she tried to join protest
Swati Maliwal detained: After a late-night scuffle between wrestlers and the Delhi Police in Jantar Mantar, the wrestlers claimed that they were manhandled and abused by the police personnel at the protest site.
Meanwhile, Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal was detained from Jantar Mantar after she tried to enter the protest venue.
Though the police is yet to confirm her detention, a video doing rounds on social media showed that women police personnel forcefully taking the DCW chief in a police van from the protest site.
"Delhi Police has arrested me," Maliwal said in a tweet in Hindi.
दिल्ली पुलिस ने दिल्ली महिला आयोग अध्यक्ष स्वाति मालीवाल को गिरफ़्तार किया
- Tweet by DCW pic.twitter.com/dBSytrN4Ew — Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) May 3, 2023
Why wrestlers' protesting against police personnel?
Protest between wrestlers and police arose as wrestlers' alleged that drunk Delhi Police personnel manhandled them when they wanted to bring in mattresses to sleep at night after daylong rain.
While addressing media, Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia said, "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.”
The World Championships and Commonwealth Games medalist Vinesh Phogat also accused the policemen of being drunk, pushing, and abusing women protestors.
"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 were protesting against sexual harassment charges against the WFI chief and they are demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan.
"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.
Pranav Tayal said that a minor altercation took place and Somnath Bharti along with 2 others was detained.
Earlier on Wedneday, the Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha arrived at Jantar Mantar where the wrestlers have been staging a protest for the last 11 days demanding that action be taken against the WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing allegations of sexual harassment.
While addressing media IOA president said, "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 case
Three months ago prominent wrestlers came forward to lead a protest against the WFI Chief, the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced the formation of an 'oversight committee' to probe allegations levelled against the WFI and its chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and other coaches.
The committee was tasked with submitting a report on the issue to the ministry. The wrestlers launched a fresh protest in April.
On April 30, Delhi Police registered two FIRs against WFI president Singh over allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation of female wrestlers by him. Top Indian grapplers such as Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and many other wrestlers are involved in the protest against the WFI chief.
- With inputs from agencies
