‘What a reign of thugs …’: Opposition attacks Centre after Wangchuk’s removal from Jantar Mantar, calls officers ‘Modi goons’ | India News
NEW DELHI: Opposition leaders across party lines on Saturday condemned the Delhi police action at Jantar Mantar after activist Sonam Wangchuk was taken to Safdarjung Hospital during his indefinite hunger strike. The leaders alleged that police used force against peaceful protesters, accusing the centre of suppressing dissent and questioning its response to Wangchuk’s demands over the NEET-UG paper leak.Safdarjung hospital authorities confirmed that Sonam Wangchuk is conscious, his vital parameters are stable, and he has been admitted to the emergency ward for medical observation.“Mr Sonam Wangchuck 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 Safdarjung Hospital said, according to PTI.The criticism came as Wangchuk continued his indefinite hunger strike, demanding accountability over the NEET-UG paper leak and the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Meanwhile, Abhijeet Dipke, one of the founders of the Cockroach Janata Party, alleged that police personnel forcibly removed Wangchuk from the protest site despite his deteriorating health after a 20-day fast.Speaking to ANI, Dipke claimed that officers arrived at the protest site early in the morning and took Wangchuk away by force. AAP leader Manish Sisodia accused the Centre of trying to silence those protesting against examination irregularities.“So, this is the solution Modi ji has given for paper leaks… Beat up with goons whoever raises their voice against paper leaks and don’t let them raise their voice at all. This isn’t politics, it’s cowardice. What a reign of thugs..” Sisodia wrote in a post on X.
‘What kind of thuggery is this?’
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh also alleged that Wangchuk was forcibly removed despite being on a prolonged fast.“What kind of thuggery is this going on? Modi ji, this arrogance of power doesn’t last long. The very youth you’re beating with batons will uproot your throne. One person @Wangchuk66 who has been on a fast unto death for the past 21 days, instead of listening to his demands, was forcibly arrested and admitted to the hospital,” Singh posted on X.He alleged that the Prime Minister changed the Delhi police commissioner, appointing one who could arrest Sonam Wangchuk as protests grew. AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that police personnel entered the protest site in plain clothes and attempted to block media coverage.“Shamelessness at Jantar Mantar. Goons of Modi Govt. Delhi Police dressed up in civil dress and sports shoes forcefully entering the protest site. They brought dozens of white bed-sheets to block camera views so that any violence/man-handling with Sonam Wangchuk & others is not video recorded. This is how shameless Modi Govt is,” Bharadwaj said on X.
Opposition leaders term action ‘assault on democracy’
Trinamool Congress leader Sagarika Ghose also criticised the police action. “What sort of shocking coercive state violence is this? The morally bankrupt @narendramodi regime only knows how to use the danda. UNACCEPTABLE,” she posted on X.NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar also criticised the government’s handling of Wangchuk’s protest, alleging it ignored students’ concerns and acted only after the situation became “uncontrollable”. This issue will not end here, as the parliament session is scheduled to begin, it will be discussed there too,” he added.Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav described the incident as an attack on democratic rights. “Forcibly removing Sonam Wangchuk is not just one action, but an assault on democracy and the Constitution. The BJP government can no longer tolerate even peaceful protests – this is tyranny,” she wrote on X.On Friday, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut urged the judiciary to intervene and questioned the Centre’s response to the protest. “The High Court should take cognisance. They should take responsibility for the NEET paper leak and seek the resignation of the minister concerned.”CPI(M) leader M A Baby also condemned the detention Wangchuk and Dipke, accusing the Modi government of using force against protesters and saying “silencing dissent cannot be a substitute for accountability” over the paper leak issue.Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray also criticised the Centre on Friday.“Sonam Wangchuk is on a hunger strike over a demand. He wants accountability, and Dharmendra Pradhan – who is an incompetent minister – resigns. But the Govt is not taking any note of it. I don’t think this happened even in the British Rule. There was never such an insensitive government in the country.”
