"I respect the Government's decision to organize security, but I love freedom and I cannot run in a cage," Bedi said.

Bedi, who is the second person after footballer Bhaichung Bhutia to boycott the Olympic flame relay in Delhi on April 17, defended the Tibetans' right to protest.

"If there is so much fear, then let the police enforce Section 144. Why make Rajpath a jail? It's a highly secured place. There is no need for barricades. Police ought to manage it well. They can be in plain clothes and make arrests if any miscreant interferes," said Bedi.

She charged the organisers of the run with attempting to hide from the world that there were any protests here. The Delhi edition of the run will have around 50 personalities from different walks of life participating in it.

"I cannot run in such an atmosphere. It will be a scuffed environment," Bedi said.

She termed the torch as a ‘symbol of freedom’ and complained that its essence would be lost if the run took place with barricades all around.

"I understand we need security. But being a democratic country we ought not to suppress democratic ways. Let them demonstrate on one side and let the run happen too," said Bedi, who recently stepped down as Director General of Bureau of Police Research and Development apparently in protest against being overlooked for the post of Police Commissioner of Delhi.

On Bollywood actor Aamir Khan deciding to take part in the torch relay, Bedi said, "He can run in such a atmosphere, but I cannot. Aamir Khan is running. If there is one less, it should not make a difference."

"I was a police officer. There is no contract that I have to run. Coca Cola sponsored it. I was not paid to run," said Bedi, who has also been a national tennis champion.

Expressing solidarity with the Tibetans, she said, "If Tibetans are asking for their own home, then where are they going wrong. Tibetans are homeless. They have been thrown out of their own house. They are fighting for a cause. You and me too will fight if we face the same situation."

"If they violate rules and regulation, then it should be suppressed. They have a right to dissent. The world is sympathising with them," Bedi noted.

She, however, stressed her love for sports and the Olympic Games, saying, "I have been a national champion in Tennis. I was running with the love for the game. I became a police officer because of this background. How can I hate it?"