'Ready to take bullets...': Bajrang Punia on ex-IPS officer's warning
What's the story
Top wrestler Bajrang Punia has responded to former Kerala Director General of Police (DGP) NC Asthana's veiled warning against wrestlers that cops can shoot the protesting grapplers.
In a Twitter post, Punia said he was ready to take bullets to the chest.
The heated exchange erupted after the police foiled the wrestlers' march to the new Parliament inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on Sunday.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Wrestlers protesting against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh camped at Jantar Mantar over a month ago after their calls for action against Singh fell on deaf ears for three months.
Seven women, including a minor, have accused Singh of sexual harassment.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP, on the contrary, alleges that the protest against him is politically motivated.
Comments
'Will even shoot if necessary...': Asthana on wrestlers' protests
On Sunday, retweeting a news report, Asthana wrote in Hindi, "Will even shoot if necessary... Right now, they have just been dragged and thrown away like a sack of garbage."
"Article 129 gives the police the right to shoot. Under proper circumstances, that wish will also be fulfilled. But to know that, it's necessary to be educated. See you again at the postmortem table!"
Twitter Post
Here is what Asthana posted on Twitter
ज़रूरत हुई तो गोली भी मारेंगे। मगर, तुम्हारे कहने से नहीं। अभी तो सिर्फ कचरे के बोरे की तरह घसीट कर फेंका है। दफ़ा 129 में पुलिस को गोली मारने का अधिकार है। उचित परिस्थितियों में वो हसरत भी पूरी होगी। मगर वह जानने के लिये पढ़ालिखा होना आवश्यक है। फिर मिलेंगे पोस्टमाॅर्टम टेबल पर! https://t.co/tQ0ROlQBzP
— Dr. N. C. Asthana, IPS (Retd) (@NcAsthana) May 28, 2023
Tweet
'Wives will be widowed, children orphaned without reason': Asthana
"Some fools doubt the right of the police to shoot. If you can read English, then read the decision of the Supreme Court in Akhilesh Prasad's case. Those illiterate who cannot read, it is good advice not to test this right," the ex-Kerala DGP said in another tweet.
"Wives will be widowed and children orphaned without any reason! Stay fit," he added.
Response
'Where to come to get shot': Punia dares former DGP
Purportedly upset by Asthana's tweets, Punia, one of the top grapplers demanding the WFI chief's arrest in the alleged sexual harassment case, replied, "This IPS officer is talking about shooting us. Brother, I am standing in front here."
"Tell me where to come to get shot...I swear that I will not show my back, I will take your bullet on my chest," Punia tweeted.
Twitter Post
Heated exchange between Punia and Asthana on Twitter
ये IPS ऑफिसर हमें गोली मारने की बात कर रहा है। भाई सामने खड़े हैं, बता कहाँ आना है गोली खाने… क़सम है पीठ नहीं दिखाएँगे, सीने पे खाएँगे तेरी गोली। यो ही रह गया है अब हमारे साथ करना तो यो भी सही। https://t.co/jgZofGj5QC
— Bajrang Punia 🇮🇳 (@BajrangPunia) May 29, 2023
Latest
Protesting wrestlers booked for 'rioting,' over 800 detained
On Sunday, Punia and other star wrestlers, including Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat, were booked for rioting and other charges.
They were detained by the Delhi Police after they attempted to break through barricades to march toward the new Parliament.
The police also removed the protesters from Jantar Mantar and detained 109 people there, while 700 others were detained from across Delhi.