‘Removal of Sonam Wangchuk wrong’: Rahul Gandhi slams BJP’s ‘asatya and hinsa’ approach in first reaction to Jantar Mantar protest
NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday reacted for the first time to climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike, calling his removal from Jantar Mantar ‘wrong’ and accusing the Centre of using force against a peaceful protest.His remarks came hours after Wangchuk was removed from the protest site and shifted to VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, where he was admitted for medical observation as his indefinite hunger strike over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination entered its 21st day.Reacting to the police action, Rahul accused the Centre of suppressing a peaceful protest and said issues such as paper leaks, rising education costs and student suicides could not be ignored.In a post on X, Congress MP wrote: “The core tenets of the Modi government are Asatya and Hinsa. The removal of Sonam Wangchuk ji from Jantar Mantar while he was on a non-violent hunger strike is wrong. Paper leaks, the rising cost 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. ” Wangchuk was removed from the protest site around 48 hours before a planned march to Parliament scheduled for the opening day of the Monsoon Session on Monday.According to eyewitnesses, police personnel in plain clothes entered the protest site, climbed onto the stage and covered Wangchuk with a white sheet before taking him away. The operation lasted only a few minutes.Delhi Police said Wangchuk was shifted to the hospital on the advice of medical experts and in compliance with directions of the Delhi high court, citing concerns over his deteriorating health. “He has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care… We request the protestors at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest,” the New Delhi DCP said in a post on X.Police also said protesters attempted to obstruct the exercise, causing a brief commotion, but claimed officers acted with “maximum restraint”.Safdarjung Hospital later said Wangchuk was stable but weak because of prolonged fasting and dehydration.”Mr Sonam Wangchuk has been admitted to Safdarjung Hospital for the required health care. He is weak due to prolonged fasting and dehydration. Although he is currently stable, he requires continuous observation, monitoring and treatment to restore his body parameters,” the hospital said.Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, questioned the decision to hospitalise him and said no treatment should be given without her consent. She also disputed the police’s interpretation of the high court’s order, arguing that it did not direct authorities to admit him to hospital.The police action drew criticism from several Opposition leaders, including AAP MP Sanjay Singh, Trinamool Congress leader Sagarika Ghose and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, who accused the Centre of suppressing peaceful dissent.The Congress had officially extended support to Wangchuk’s protest earlier this week. On Thursday, Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal appealed to him to end his fast because of his deteriorating health while assuring him that the party would continue demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.On Friday, Congress leader Pawan Khera also met Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar and expressed concern over his health, saying the Centre was insensitive to democratic protests.The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has been holding a protest at Jantar Mantar since June 20, demanding Pradhan’s resignation over the alleged NEET examination irregularities, a judicial probe into the examination process and wider reforms in the education system. Wangchuk joined the agitation on June 28 and has been on an indefinite hunger strike since then.
