Anna Hazare asks Centre to open dialogue with Sonam Wangchuk
Activist Anna Hazare on Saturday urged the Centre to initiate talks with educationist and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike.“Government should not wait for a tragic outcome, and there is no harm in holding discussions,” Hazare said.”During Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike, he was taken away and admitted to a hospital… This is a matter concerning society, and as much as possible, the situation should be handled peacefully. If there is any forceful action or pulling and dragging, the issue only becomes more complicated,” he added. Wangchuk has been demanding the resignation of union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged irregularities and paper leak controversy surrounding the NEET examination. Wangchuk was taken from Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital early on Saturday as his indefinite hunger strike over irregularities in the NEET examination entered its 21st day. The move came 48 hours before his proposed march to Parliament, scheduled for the opening day of the Monsoon Session on Monday.Witnesses said police personnel in plain clothes, deployed amid heavy security, entered the protest site, climbed onto the stage and covered Wangchuk and the surrounding area with a white sheet before shifting him, preventing the operation from being recorded on camera. Opposition leaders across party lines condemned the Delhi Police’s action at Jantar Mantar after Wangchuk was taken to Safdarjung Hospital.The leaders accused the Centre of suppressing dissent, alleging that police used force to disperse peaceful protesters and questioning the government’s response to Wangchuk’s demands.Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi described Wangchuk’s removal from Jantar Mantar as “wrong” and accused the Centre of using force against a peaceful protest.According to a statement issued by the hospital, Wangchuk was admitted with complaints of generalised weakness. He had no history of fainting episodes and was conscious at the time of admission, with stable pulse, blood pressure and oxygen saturation, though doctors noted signs of dehydration.Medical investigations revealed compensated acidosis on blood gas analysis and low serum potassium levels. His blood sugar was recorded at 78 mg/dl, while a repeat test confirmed persistently low potassium. Urinary ketones, measured at 1+ on admission, had increased to 3+ by 1 pm.Meanwhile, Wangchuk’s personal physician, Dr Nitin Dighe, questioned the hospital’s assessment of his condition and alleged a lack of transparency in his medical care.
