Wrestlers' protest site cleared, protesters detained for attempting a march to new Parliament

New Delhi: Delhi Police on Sunday detained protesting wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia from taking out a march towards the new Parliament building.

The athletes planned 'Mahila Samman Mahapanchayat' (a women's large assembly) to coincide with the inauguration of Parliament today, in order to strengthen their agitation against Wrestling Federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Singh has long been taking the heat after several female athletes accused him of sexual harassment.

Camping at Jantar Mantar in the capital city, wrestlers stirred up nationwide protest against Sing who is a BJP MP.

As the protest site is just two kilometers away from the new parliament building, police have beefed up security in view of wrestlers 'Mahapanchayat'.

Despite the massive security in place, the wrestlers decided to go ahead with their march towards the parliament.

The situation got escalated after Vinesh Phogat and Sangeeta Phogat attempted to breach police barricades, leading to pushing and shoving between police and protesters.

Dependra Pathak, Special Commissioner of Police, said that athletes were detained after violating law and order, adding that they were forcefully taken away in buses.

Afterwards, police set out to clear the protest site which has been active since athletes resumed protest on April 23.

The protesters camping at Jantar Mantar include Olympic medallists and Asian Games gold winners.

Sticking to their demand, protesters reportedly said that using police against them will not stop them from continuing their ‘peaceful protest and assembly.