Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson, Swati Maliwal, has written a letter to the Commissioner of Police demanding the arrest of BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, as well as action against the personnel responsible for detaining protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar. The wrestlers, including notable athletes like Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, were detained after a clash with security personnel who tried to prevent them from marching towards the new Parliament building during its inauguration.
In her letter, Maliwal expressed her deep concern over the mistreatment of female wrestlers and their families during the peaceful protest, stating that the Delhi Police had forcefully detained them. She further highlighted that several women wrestlers, including a minor, had previously accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment during his tenure as the president of the Wrestling Federation of India.
Maliwal pointed out that despite the Supreme Court’s intervention and the registration of two FIRs against the accused MP, who already faces around 40 other criminal cases, the Delhi Police has failed to arrest him. She questioned the delay in apprehending Brij Bhushan Singh, especially when the police promptly act in cases of sexual assault reported in Delhi on a daily basis.
The DCW chief criticized the perceived biased attitude of the Delhi Police, which is seen as favoring the accused parliamentarian. She argued that this partisan behavior not only undermines justice but also forced the women wrestlers to continue their month-long protest at Jantar Mantar. Maliwal expressed her disappointment at the treatment of the protesting athletes, citing videos on social media that showed the police manhandling and forcefully detaining them.
Maliwal further emphasized that the actions of the Delhi Police in mistreating and detaining the wrestlers discourage women and girls across the country from reporting cases of sexual harassment and seeking justice. She called for immediate action against the personnel responsible for the incident.
The letter from the DCW chief sheds light on the alleged mishandling of the situation by the Delhi Police and raises important questions about the delay in arresting an accused parliamentarian with serious allegations against him. Maliwal’s appeal for justice and action reflects the concerns regarding the treatment of women and the need to uphold their rights. The incident has sparked public outrage, and it remains to be seen how the authorities will respond to these demands for justice and accountability.
