The Delhi Police tightened security measures as several farmers were anticipated to reach Jantar Mantar, where wrestlers are staging a sit-in. Multiple barricades were erected to prevent any untoward incidents. However, on Monday, the farmers broke through the barricades to join the protesting wrestlers, who are demanding action against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the chief of the Wrestling Federation of India and BJP MP, over allegations of sexual harassment. Extensive layers of barricades were placed at the protest site and the border areas of Delhi.
In a video shared by the news agency ANI, farmers could be seen working together to manually remove the barricades, allowing others to join the protest. At one point, a group of farmers collectively lifted and moved a barricade out of the way.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police stated that a group of farmers had been escorted to Jantar Mantar, but some of them were in a hurry to reach the dharna site and climbed over the barricades. The police further mentioned that the barricades had been removed by the farmers and assured that the protestors at Jantar Mantar were being facilitated. To ensure security, protesters are required to pass through DFMD (Door Frame Metal Detector). The Delhi Police also appealed to the public to remain calm and abide by the law.
ALSO READ: 'Congress, Not BJP Began Row Over Bajrangbali': JP Nadda Slams Party Ahead of Karnataka Polls
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) announced a nationwide agitation on Saturday in solidarity with the wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Several senior leaders of SKM from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and western Uttar Pradesh were slated to visit Jantar Mantar on Sunday, accompanied by hundreds of farmers.
The SKM also demanded the immediate arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment by several women wrestlers.
On Thursday, a group of farmers en route to Delhi to join the protest at Jantar Mantar were stopped by the police at the Singhu border, resulting in the detention of 24 individuals.
The wrestlers have been staging their protest at Jantar Mantar since April 23. On April 28, the Delhi Police filed two FIRs against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh based on complaints filed by seven women wrestlers, including a minor.