'Ready To Take Bullet': Wrestler Bajrang Punia After Ex-IPS Officer's Warning

A day after chaotic scenes were witnessed at the dharna site at Jantar Mantar after several videos showed the wrestlers being pushed, shoved and detained by the Delhi police while they attempted to march towards the new parliament, Kerala director general of police (DGP) NC Asthana warned that, if required, the cops will resort to firing bullets on the protesting grapplers. Undeterred wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia who vowed to return to protest, said that he was ready to take bullets in his chest.

Barely two kilometres from the dharna site at Jantar Mantar, the new Parliament building was being inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi while top wrestlers were being physically mandhandled by the Delhi police.

On Sunday night, Asthana tweeted in Hindi, “Will even shoot if necessary. But not because of you are saying. 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 too. But to know that it is necessary to be educated. See you again at the postmortem table!”

In another tweet, the officer said, “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. Wives will be widowed and children orphaned without any reason! stay fit.”

Bajrang Punia, who has been supporting the women wrestlers in their fight demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who allegedly sexually harassed women wrestlers, said that he was willing to take a bullet on his chest. 

“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. This is what has remained, now it is right to do with us,” Punia tweeted in Hindi.

Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi too criticised the IPS officer's post and said, “Former IPS officer, now a full time foul mouthed human. Where & When did our country’s training for such noble services go so wrong?” Chaturvedi tweeted.

The wrestlers had been protesting at Jantar Mantar since April 23 against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh demanding his arrest for alleged sexual harassment of several women grapplers, including a minor.

Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia along with other protesters were booked for rioting and obstructing public servant in discharge of duty on Sunday.

(With inputs from PTI)