Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday joined a growing chorus of opposition leaders criticizing the removal of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, where he has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 21 days in support of students protesting against alleged irregularities in competitive exams, including the NEET paper leak case.
Wangchuk was taken to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police on Saturday morning. While police said the move was aimed at monitoring his health condition in line with court directions, opposition parties accused the Center of using force against a peaceful protest and questioned the timing of the action, a day after the appointment of the New Delhi Police Commissioner.
The opposition criticized the Center for Wangchuk’s dismissal
“The core principles of the Modi government are Asatya and Hainsa. Removing Sonam Wangchuk ji from Jantar Mantar while he was on a non-violent hunger strike is wrong. Paper leaks, rising costs of education, and student suicides are critical issues for India’s future. No amount of force can deter India’s students, and those of us who love and believe in them, from raising these issues,” Gandhi wrote on X.
Also Read: ‘Asatya, Hainsa’: Rahul Gandhi attacks govt, calls Sonam Wangchuk’s ‘dismissal’ from Jantar Mantar ‘wrong’
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP-led government of suppressing the opposition. “…This authoritarian government has not spared anyone. In their eyes, anyone who raises his voice is ‘anti-national’, ‘parasite’!” He said he left.
Congress leader Pawan Khera termed the action an attack on democratic rights and questioned the role of the newly appointed police chief.
“It is a shame that the world’s largest democracy is ‘ruled’ by an undemocratic and anti-democratic political party in the world… Delhi Police reports directly to the Home Ministry – the same ministry that appointed a new Delhi Police Commissioner just yesterday. If today’s crackdown is his first brief, it sends a chilling message,” Khaira said.
Also Read: Congress MP Pawan Khera meets Sonam Wangchuk as Opposition intensifies support amid hunger strike
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal also criticized the police action, saying the government should have dealt with Wangchuk instead of removing him from the protest site. “Instead of lifting it forcefully, the Modi government should have talked to Sonam Wangchuk. Instead of crushing the movement, reform the country’s education and examination system,” Kejriwal wrote on X, calling the government’s actions “arrogant.”
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra described the incident as a “kidnapping”, alleging that the government was trying to derail the planned mobilization on July 20. TMC chief Mamata Banerjee expressed concern about Wangchuk’s health and called for dialogue, saying public trust is earned through “transparency, accountability and respect for democratic rights.”
Read also: Kejriwal supports Wangchuk, seeks appointment as federal education minister
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav demanded the identities of the police personnel involved in the operation be revealed and judicial supervision of Wangchuk’s treatment. “The identities of those who suddenly sneaked in deceptive civilian clothes to carry out this act must be revealed. It is our firm demand that Wangchukji’s medical care be carried out under ‘judicial supervision.’
BJP defends police action
The BJP defended the police actions, saying they were taken to protect Wangchuk’s health. BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said the Delhi High Court had ordered Wangchuk’s health to be monitored. “With regard to Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike, the High Commissioner has directed us to take care of his health… and monitor his health condition as he has been admitted to hospital,” Hussein said.
Delhi BJP president and Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra said Wangchuk was hospitalized after his health deteriorated and claimed that subsequent developments exposed the political nature of the protest.
Anna Hazare calls for dialogue
The Union government should hold talks with educationist Sonam Wangchuk, activist Anna Hazare said on Saturday.
“The government should not test his limits. Say yes or no (to his demands) but what is wrong in holding discussions,” Hazare said in a video message. Notably, Hazare’s hunger strike in Delhi over the Lokpal Act had rocked the United Progressive Alliance government in 2011.
Also read: ‘Sonam Wangchuk’s limits should not be tested, say yes or no to his demands’: Anna Hazare’s plea to the Center
