Police Are Demoralising Women: DCW Chief Writes to Delhi Police Commissioner Over Wrestlers' Detention

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chief Swati Maliwal harshly condemned the police action against the protesting wrestlers on Sunday.

She further demanded the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the release of the wrestlers, and action against the officers who detained them.

"I wish to inform you that the Delhi Commission for Women is deeply pained to note that Delhi Police has manhandled female wrestlers and their families protesting peacefully at Jantar Mantar and forcefully detained them today," read the letter.

The DCW chief noted that the Delhi Police has failed to arrest Brij Bhushan despite a minor girl alleging sexual harassment.

"In Delhi, every day around 6 cases of sexual assault are reported and in each case, Delhi Police attempts to arrest the accused person. Then why has Brij Bhushan Singh not been arrested till date? If this is not blatant injustice, what is?" Maliwal questioned.

"This apparent partisan attitude of Delhi Police which is being seen as siding with the accused parliamentarian has made a mockery of justice and forced the women wrestlers to sit and sleep on the streets of Delhi," she said.

"By denying them justice and forcefully detaining them for raising their voice against sexual harassment, Delhi Police is demoralising the women and girls of this country against reporting cases of sexual harassment and fighting for justice," she added.

Chaotic situation unfolded at Jantar Mantar as wrestlers and police officers engaged in pushing and shoving. Vinesh Phogat and her cousin sister Sangeeta Phogat were among those who tried to overcome the barricades.

All protesters were detained and forcefully boarded in buses by Police.

The police officials were also seen clearing the protest site, where the wrestlers had resumed their agitation against the Wresting Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on April 23.