In a determined display of defiance, wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, along with fellow protesters, persisted in their attempt to march towards the new Parliament building despite being detained by the police. The Delhi Police took swift action on Sunday, clearing away all remnants of the wrestlers' month-long stir at Jantar Mantar, including tents, mattresses, mats, coolers, and speakers.
While the police declared an end to the protest, the wrestlers announced their intention to resume their agitation against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a BJP MP and the chief of the Wrestling Federation of India, due to sexual harassment allegations.
To maintain law and order, the police deployed over 500 women personnel and 1,400 male personnel under the supervision of DCP (New Delhi) Pranav Tayal. Approximately 700 wrestlers were detained at various police stations. While the women wrestlers were released around 7 pm, others remained in police custody at the time of this report.
Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), Dependra Pathak, criticized the wrestlers' actions, labeling them highly irresponsible. He affirmed that the police would not permit them to continue their protest. Pathak stated, "We had instructed them not to leave the protest site, but they disregarded our warnings. Multiple police personnel sustained injuries during the incident. They violated the law and engaged in anti-national activities. We have now cleared the area…"
However, wrestler Sakshi Malik countered these claims, asserting on Twitter that the protest was far from over. She declared, "After we are released from police custody, we will resume our satyagraha at Jantar Mantar. The satyagraha of women wrestlers will prevail over dictatorship." Undeterred, another wrestler proclaimed, "We will not give up. Punia and others are still detained. Once they are released, we will return and resume our protest. They can remove our belongings."
Police sources revealed that protesters were detained at various police stations in areas such as Kalkaji, Mayur Vihar, Malviya Nagar, Burari, and Najafgarh to prevent their assembly in the New Delhi region upon their release.
Police authorities registered an FIR against the wrestlers and warned of "stringent" action if they were to return. Pathak emphasized, "Despite clear instructions, they violated the law and assaulted police personnel. The protest has concluded. If they come back, they will be sent back or detained."
According to the police, more than 150 protesters were detained at Jantar Mantar, while an additional 550 individuals, including students, activists, farmers, and labor union leaders, were detained from different areas.
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