Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday condemned the “emergency-like” situation in New Delhi, alleging that 70,000 police personnel were deployed and protesters were beaten and detained for raising questions.He said, “Democracy cannot function through fear and force.”In a press statement, Mann also questioned the BJP-led Centre’s handling of “dissent” and its commitment to democratic rights. “The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) people turn up, and they are beaten. On another occasion, a political party raises questions about the Election Commission, and they are beaten. Delhi is locked down as if there is an Emergency, with 70,000 police personnel deployed so that nobody can enter. Why? These are democratic rights. If people want to come, let them come,” he said.“Instead, they are picked up and put in jail. The Prime Minister is afraid of little children. Just hold a news conference and answer questions. I also want to tell the people of Gujarat to ask him to hold one news conference there,” Mann said.The CM also appealed directly to PM Narendra Modi to address the media and answer journalists’ questions. He said, “I want to appeal to the PM today, please hold a news conference. How many years have it been since 2014? We are approaching 2027, and nearly 12 and a half years have passed. At least hold one news conference and answer journalists’ questions. Why do you keep running away from answering them?”Mann added, “I hold three news conferences in a single day, and I have no fear because I am an honest person. I have nothing to hide or conceal. Why does the PM not hold a news conference?”
