While PM Inaugurates New Parliament, Cops Muzzle Protest By Detaining Wrestlers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday released special commemorative postage stamp and Rs 75 coin during a ceremony in the new Parliament building. The ceremony at the new Parliament building began with National Anthem today after PM Modi inaugurated it and installed the Sengol in Lok Sabha chamber.

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The contrast on full display in the national capital

While the ceremony continued inside the new building with much pomp and show, outside high-voltage drama ensued as police detained protesting wrestlers who were marching towards the parliament.

Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia were among those detained by the Delhi Police Sunday while they were trying to march to the new Parliament building where they had planned to stage a demonstration against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Delhi Police also removed the makeshift tents placed by the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called the Delhi Police actions against the sportspersons, who he said bring honour to the country, ¡°wrong and condemnable¡±.

This is how our champions are being treated. The world is watching us! #WrestlersProtest pic.twitter.com/rjrZvgAlSO

¡ª Sakshee Malikkh (@SakshiMalik) May 28, 2023

Outside the new parliament

In a video posted on her official Twitter account, Vinesh Phogat said ¡°democracy is being murdered openly¡±. She added the nation will remember how ¡°women who were demanding their rights were suppressed while the new Parliament was being inaugurated¡±.

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¡ª Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) May 28, 2023

The wrestlers had announced that they planned to hold a Mahila Samman Mahapanchayat in front of the new Parliament as part of their protest against Singh. They have accused Singh of sexually harassing women wrestlers.

Meanwhile, police detained several farmer leaders in Haryana, including BKU Haryana chief Gurnam Singh Chaduni, in their houses. They were supposed to march to Delhi in support of the protesting wrestlers.

Inside the new parliament

¡°It gives a message to the world about India's determination. This new Parliament will become witness to the rise of a self-reliant India,¡± said PM Modi. He also stated that the new Parliament building will not just contribute to India's growth but will also contribute towards the world's progress.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi releases a stamp and Rs 75 coin in the new Parliament. pic.twitter.com/7YSi1j9dW9

¡ª ANI (@ANI) May 28, 2023

Soon after inaugurating the new Parliament building today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoped that the iconic building becomes a cradle of empowerment, igniting dreams and nurturing them into reality. May it propel our great nation to new heights of progress, he said.

"As the new building of India's Parliament is inaugurated, our hearts and minds are filled with pride, hope and promise. May this iconic building be a cradle of empowerment, igniting dreams and nurturing them into reality. May it propel our great nation to new heights of progress," the prime minister tweeted.

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