DCW chief Swati Maliwal removed from wrestlers’ protest site during midnight scuffle

On Thursday morning, Maliwal again reached the protesting site to meet the wrestlers but was not allowed to enter the Jantar Mantar road.

“Jantar Mantar has been converted into a cantonment. It is my constitutional responsibility and right to meet these women wrestlers but I am not being allowed inside,” she tweeted.

The wrestlers, who have been sitting on protest since April 23, demanding the arrest of WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, alleging that he had sexually harassed seven female grapplers, also alleged that the police had manhandled and abused them.

#LIVE | “Delhi Police is taking all illegal measures to protect Brij Bhushan Singh,” said Swati Maliwal.

For more, follow live updates: https://t.co/vBZYMfoOJx pic.twitter.com/YNEqIOcsEn

— Express Delhi-NCR (@ieDelhi) May 4, 2023

“Since it rained today, the streets are wet. That’s why we were trying to get a bed to the protest site. They’re abusing us. This is how they respect daughters,” said wrestler Bajrang Punia.

In a video that surfaced from the location, Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat were seen arguing with the officials.

“The way they have made us suffer, I would not want any athlete to win a medal for the country,” said wrestler Vinesh Phogat, addressing some media persons.

A senior police officer said, “Section 144 was imposed and everyone outside the line of barricades was removed. The staffers didn’t use any force. Maliwal and others were only removed…They were not taken to stations. We are checking with officers about the wrestlers’ allegations. An inquiry will be conducted.”

Meanwhile, Congress MP Deepender Hooda claimed that he was detained by the police when he tried to reach Jantar Mantar on Wednesday.

In a video shared on Twitter, Hooda said the police took him to Vasant Vihar police station. He was seen arguing with the policemen deployed at the protest site.