'Police Are Demoralising Women...:' DCW Chief Writes to Delhi Police Commissioner Over Wrestlers' Detention

Swati Maliwal wrote to the Delhi Police Commissioner, demanding that Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh be arrested, the wrestlers be released, and action be taken against the officers who detained them.

File Photo: Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Sangeeta Phogat look on as Delhi Commission for Women Chairperson Swati Maliwal speaks with the media during their protest at Jantar Mantar on May 4, in New Delhi.

Source : PTI

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal wrote to the Delhi Police Commissioner on Sunday, demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the release of the wrestlers, and action against the officers who detained them. 

DCW chief Swati Maliwal writes to Delhi Police Commissioner, demanding arrest of WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, release of wrestlers and action on the officers who detained them. pic.twitter.com/AF7OfKZnPo

— ANI (@ANI) May 28, 2023

Earlier in the day, security personnel detained protesting wrestlers as they marched towards the new Parliament building. Originally, the wrestlers were protesting at Jantar Mantar. Wrestlers expressed a desire to hold a Maha Panchayat for women in front of the newly built Parliament building.

Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik, along with other protesting wrestlers, are calling for Brij Bhushan Singh, president of the Wrestling Federation of India, to be arrested on charges of sexual misconduct against numerous female wrestlers.

Maliwal wrote to Delhi Police Commissioner, "I wish to inform you that the Delhi Commission for Women is deeply pained to note that Delhi Police has manhandled female wrestlers and their families protesting peacefully at Jantar Mantar and forcefully detained them today."

"Why has Brij Bhushan Singh not been arrested till date? If this is not blatant injustice, what is? This apparent partisan attitude of Delhi Police which is being seen as siding with the accused parliamentarian has made a mockery of justice and forced the women wrestlers to sit and sleep on the streets of Delhi," the letter read. 

READ | Wrestlers Forcefully Detained, Tents Removed At Protest Site Ahead Of Parliament March - Key Points

Soon after the wrestlers were detained, Swati Maliwal took to Twitter to condemn the police action. In a tweet series, along with pictures of the wrestlers being manhandled by the police, the DCW chief wrote: "This is Sakshi Malik. Olympics medalist, Padma Shri and Khel Ratna awardee. This is how she was dragged on the streets of Delhi today."

"This is Bajrang Punia. He is also an Olympics medalist and Padma Shri, Khel Ratna awardee. He has put his entire career on risk to fight for justice for women wrestlers. He too has been dragged and detained by Delhi Police!," Swati wrote in another tweet. 

"This is Vinesh Phogat, CWG medalist, Khel Ratna and Arjuna awardee. On the 35th day of protest, she too was mishandled and detained by Delhi Police!"

This is Sakshi Malik. Olympics medalist, Padma Shri and Khel Ratna awardee. This is how she was dragged on the streets of Delhi today. #WrestlersProtest
(1/n) pic.twitter.com/ArKAmtMChS

— Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) May 28, 2023

In preparation for a protest march by wrestlers towards the new Parliament building, Delhi's borders and Lutyens' Delhi have been heavily policed. Several barricades have also been erected to strengthen security measures.