Jhajjar: Olympics medallist and Congress functionary Bajrang Punia on Wednesday condemned the alleged police crackdown on students protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, calling the reported lathicharge “reprehensible” and accusing the authorities of suppressing peaceful democratic dissent.In a video message posted on X and in a telephonic conversation with TOI, Punia said students, including women, were injured during the police action and questioned the use of force against those protesting peacefully.“The lathicharge on students was condemnable. The government should not have allowed this to happen. Several students, including women protesters, were injured,” he said.Alleging that police also used tear gas and plastic bullets, Punia said the role of security forces was to protect citizens, not act against peaceful demonstrators. He claimed many protesters were carrying books and the national flag and had undergone security checks before entering the protest site.Drawing parallels with the farmers’ agitation and the women wrestlers’ protest, Punia alleged that those raising their voice against injustice were often subjected to intimidation and vilification. He appealed to farmers, athletes, students and civil society to unite in defence of democratic rights.Referring to the wrestlers’ protest, Punia alleged that justice had been delayed and that those who spoke out were targeted. He also claimed he had been unfairly implicated in a doping-related case, which kept him out of competition, and maintained he had committed no wrongdoing.Calling the issue “larger than politics”, Punia said the students’ protest was about the future of the country’s youth and education system and urged support for peaceful democratic expression.
