NEW DELHI: Several wrestlers, including Olympic medalists, as well as scores of their fans were detained by Indian police on Sunday as they attempted to march to parliament in New Delhi, according to an AFP correspondent who was there.
Since last month, a group of wrestlers has staged a sit-in to call for the arrest of Brij Bhushan Singh, the head of the wrestling federation, on charges of sexual harassment and intimidation.
On Sunday, while the prime minister was opening India’s new parliament, hundreds of police officers blocked the wrestlers’ march there.
Olympic bronze medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia were among those arrested and taken away in buses.
A senior police officer was reported by broadcaster NDTV as stating, “We respect our athletes, but we will not allow there to be any disturbance in the inauguration.”
Prior to Prime Minister Modi’s inauguration of the new parliament building, security in the nation’s capital was stepped up.
After a group of farmers sought to enter the city to support the protesting wrestlers, authorities stationed watch at Delhi’s gates as well.
Earlier this month, dozens of farmers broke down police barricades in the city to join the protest.
Wrestling federation chief Singh, who is from Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, has denied the accusations.
Numerous farmers joined the demonstration earlier this month by tearing down police barriers around the city.
Singh, the head of the wrestling organisation and a member of Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, has refuted the allegations.
