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

Prior to the protesting wrestlers' march towards the new Parliament building, Delhi Police has beefed up the security.

Delhi Police detains wrestler Sakshi Malik near Jantar Mantar during their protest march. ( Image Source :PTI )

Security personnel on Sunday halted the protesting wrestlers from marching towards the new Parliament building, detaining them along the way. The wrestlers were originally demonstrating at Jantar Mantar. The wrestlers expressed their desire to hold a Maha Panchayat for women in front of the newly-constructed Parliament building.

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

In anticipation of a group of wrestlers' protest march towards the new Parliament building, Delhi borders and Lutyens' Delhi have been heavily guarded by numerous police officers. Multiple barricades have also been erected to reinforce security measures.

Key Points

• In order to prevent Khap Panchayat leaders and farmers from joining the wrestlers' protest march, barricades have been erected by Delhi Police at the ITO road, Tikri border, and Singhu border area.
• Farmers' associations in Ambala, Haryana were prevented from traveling to New Delhi's new Parliament Building for the Mahila Mahapanchayat. 
• The police took measures to block access to the gurudwara by shutting down its entry and exit gates, while also placing several large trucks on the roads leading to its vicinity. The government has been cautioned by BKU divisions like Charuni and Shaheed Bhagat Singh to either permit the groups to relocate or be prepared for demonstrations.
• The authorities have strictly announced that any individual planning to march towards the new Parliament complex will not be permitted as authorization to hold the mahapanchayat has not been given to protesters, according to the police.
• On Sunday, Delhi Police prevented a group of farmers, headed by BKU leader Rakesh Tikait, from entering the national capital to join a protest organized by protesting wrestlers near the new Parliament building.
• The Delhi Police dismantled the tents and installations erected by wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar when they were apprehended for violating the security cordon and disregarding the instructions provided by the law enforcement agency. The individuals who engage in wrestling, among them being two medalists from the Olympic Games, were arrested as they attempted to approach the new Parliament structure for a scheduled gathering called 'Mahapanchayat' that was meant for women.
• Special CP, Law & Order, Delhi Police, Dependra Pathak, while talking about the security arrangement said, "8,000-10,000 personnel have been deployed to ensure that there is no disturbance in the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building."
• Wrestlers were seen climbing on the barricades to cross it saying they are the citizens of the country and can walk like any normal person. A 'Mahila Mahapanchayat' was announced to be held on Sunday. The grapplers are protesting against WFI chief Brih Bhushan Singh and are seeking his resignation and action against him.