Inaugurating New Parliament Building, But Murdering Democracy: Bajrang Punia Ahead Of Mahapanchayat

Ahead of Mahapanchayat, wrestler Bajrang Punia said that the Government is inaugurating the new parliament building but murdering democracy.

Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia on Sunday took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government and said that the inauguration of the new Parliament building is happening on one hand, whereas democracy is being murdered on the other. Talking to the media ahead of the Mahapanchayat, Punia appealed to the administration to release the people who have been detained by the Delhi Police. He confirmed that the planned Mahapanchayat will certainly be held on Sunday only.

"Mahapanchayat will certainly be held today. We're fighting for our self-respect. They're inaugurating the new Parliament building today, but murdering democracy in the country. We appeal to the administration to release our people detained by police," Punia was quoted as saying by ANI.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police beefed up the security on Sunday near the Singhu border, ITO road, and Tikri border area as Khap panchayat leaders and farmers are expected to join the wrestlers who are protesting against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh for allegedly sexually harassing female grapplers. The wrestlers along with the farmers are expected to march to the new parliament house in Delhi today. Police officials were seen briefly stopping the vehicles near the border in strict checking for those entering the national capital.

Barricades have been put up by the Delhi police. The protesting wrestlers will organise a "Mahila Samman Mahapanchayat" today ahead of their march to the new parliament house.

DCP East Delhi, Amrutha Gugulot while talking to news agency ANI said, "Delhi police are prepared for such situations. We have enough force to deploy. Last time the border was closed for months because of the protesters (farmers' protests). We have prepared our forces so that such situations don't arise again. We will convince the protesters to return."

Special CP, Law & Order, Delhi Police, Dependra Pathak, while talking about the security arrangement said, "8,000-10,000 personnel have been deployed to ensure that there is no disturbance in the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building."