Shocked and appalled by the boorish behaviour of the Delhi Police towards protesting wrestlers late Thursday evening, an emotionally distraught Vinesh Phogat said they were not criminals and did not deserve such disrespect.
The wrestlers are sitting on protest since April 23, demanding the arrest of WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh alleging that he has sexually harassed seven female grapplers, including one minor.
Around 11 pm, a scuffle broke out at Jantar Mantar between the protesting wrestlers when they were bringing in folding beds for their night stay and the on-duty police personnel allegedly began enquiring about that.
According to the wrestlers, the police officers started behaving badly with them and even abused the women wrestlers.
"If you want to kill us, then kill us," a crying Vinesh Phogat said during a late-night media interaction.
"Did we win medals for the country to see this day? We have not even eaten our food. Does every man have a right to abuse women? These policemen are holding guns, they can kill us," an emotionally drained Vinesh said.
"Where were female police officers? How can the male officers push us like that. We are not criminals. We do not deserve such treatment. The police officer who was drunk hit my brother," the World Championship medallist said.
Bajrang Punia exhorted the farmers and the general public to reach Jantar Mantar in their support.
"I request everyone to reach Delhi by morning. This is the time. If not now, then when. This is a question of the dignity of our daughters. People like Brij Bhushan (WFI President) are roaming free despite being a criminal and all this is happening to us," Bajrang said.
Asked to give more details, Bajrang said, "CCTV cameras must be here. Footage will make it clear." Asked specifically if AAP leader Somnath Bharti had brought the folding beds, as being claimed by the Delhi Police, Bajrang said,"CCTV footage can show he was not there when it happened. We had ordered the beds, we were bringing the beds inside."
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
The Rise And Rise Of Devendra Fadnavis
BJP MP Asked If Harassment Case Cost Him Poll Pass. He Said, "Son Got It" "Brij Bhushan's Propaganda": Sakshi Malik As Wrestlers Protest Against Her Protesting Athletes "Past Their Prime": Suspended Wrestling Body President "Moving Towards One Party, One Nation": Uddhav Thackeray On BJP Victory After Mega Maharashtra Victory, NDA's Oath Ceremony Likely Tomorrow With Thumping Win, Maharashtra Decides Real NCP, Sena 2 More Babies Die, Deaths In UP Hospital Fire Rises To 17 Sea Nomads, Once Masters In Water, Now Forced To Abandon Oceanic Life 163 Kg Employee Sues Company For Over Rs 38 Crore, Says Desk Too Small Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.