Bajrang Punia has joined the ongoing students’ protest at Jantar Mantar, a day after strongly condemning the alleged police crackdown and reported lathicharge on demonstrators.
The Indian wrestler and Olympic medallist, who is also associated with the Indian National Congress, shared a video on Instagram showing him addressing protesters at Jantar Mantar in the national capital. He also posted a message on his official X account, criticising the reported use of force by police against students.
In his statement, Punia alleged that police officials used lathis, tear gas, and plastic bullets against protesting students, calling the action unjustified. He said that students who had been raising their voices for their rights should not be silenced.
“You all saw that the police lathi-charged our student sisters and brothers at Jantar Mantar. The children had been sitting for 14-15 years to speak out for their rights, and the way the police acted against them was wrong,” Punia said.
Punia later reached the protest site and shared a video of his speech from Jantar Mantar on social media, expressing solidarity with the students.
The protests have been taking place in Delhi and several other parts of India over allegations of irregularities and paper leaks related to the NEET examination. Celebrated engineer and education reform advocate Sonam Wangchuk has also been participating in the agitation and is reportedly on a hunger strike, demanding accountability and the resignation of the Union Education Minister.
Over the past few days, several public figures and sportspersons, including Yuvraj Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, Mohammad Azharuddin, Manu Bhaker, Abhinav Bindra, Alia Bhatt, and Salman Khan, have voiced their opinions on the issue.
According to reports, tensions escalated on July 20 when protesters allegedly defied a police ban and attempted to march towards Parliament, demanding the resignation of the Education Minister. Police then allegedly used lathis and tear gas to disperse the crowd after closing the gates leading to the Parliament complex.
Some protesters claimed they sustained injuries during the confrontation, while reports also suggested that a few individuals in the crowd allegedly threw stones. The police have not yet issued a detailed public statement addressing all the allegations made by protesters and supporters.
