Delhi: Ruckus as farmers break barricades at wrestlers' protest venue
Delhi's Jantar Mantar witnessed high drama on Monday after hundreds of farmers from the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) reached the site, where the wrestlers have been protesting against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. According to ANI, the BKU members broke the barricades set up by the Delhi Police and reached the protest venue in support of the aggrieved grapplers.
Remain peaceful and abide by law: Delhi Police
According to the Delhi Police, a group of farmers were escorted to Jantar Mantar. It claimed that in their haste to get to the site, several of them climbed the barricades, which collapsed and were removed by them. "The protestors...are being facilitated. Entry is being regulated through Door Frame Metal Detector (DFMD) to ensure safety. Please remain peaceful and abide by the law."
Watch: Video of farmers breaking through police barricades
Farmers, khap mahapanchayat leaders extend support to protesting wrestlers
On Saturday, the BKU extended its support to the protesting wrestlers and reiterated their demand for Singh's arrest. Khap mahapanchayat leaders from Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh also reportedly visited Jantar Mantar on Sunday and warned of protest if Singh is not arrested by May 21. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has beefed up security and deployed over 2,000 police personnel around the protest venue.
'Will hang myself if a single allegation proved': Singh
Meanwhile, WFI chief Singh urged farmer leaders not to make the "mistake" and wait for the outcome of the probe. The Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Kaiserganj also claimed he was innocent, alleging the attack on him was politically motivated as he reformed the wrestlers' selection process. "I will hang myself even if a single allegation against me is proved," Singh said.
Know about wrestlers' protest at Jantar Mantar
The wrestlers resumed their protest at Jantar Mantar last month, demanding action against Singh. After initially launching a protest in January, they soon called it off after the Centre assured them the issue would be probed, and a Wrestling Oversight Committee (WOC) was formed. However, they restarted their agitation since the committee's findings were not made public and no action was taken against Singh.
