This is tyranny: Opposition slams Centre over Sonam Wangchuk's removal from protest

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted from his Jantar Mantar hunger strike to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday. The move triggered Opposition accusations of suppressing a peaceful protest over examination irregularities.

In Short

• Delhi Police shifted Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital citing worsening health concerns
• AAP leaders, opposition accused the Centre of silencing dissent over exam leaks
• Police cleared protesters from Jantar Mantar after Wangchuk's hospitalisation amid security

A political storm erupted on Saturday after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted from his hunger strike site at Jantar Mantar to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital, with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and other Opposition figures accusing the Centre and Delhi Police of suppressing a peaceful protest.

AAP leader Manish Sisodia alleged that the government was attempting to silence those raising concerns over alleged examination paper leaks. In a post on X, he claimed the Centre was responding to dissent with force instead of addressing the issue.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh criticised the police action, alleging Wangchuk, who had been on an indefinite hunger strike for 21 days, was forcibly taken to hospital instead of having his demands heard. He said the government's use of force against protesting youth reflected an abuse of power.

AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that Delhi Police personnel entered the protest site in plain clothes and used white sheets to obstruct camera views during the operation. He claimed the move was intended to prevent the recording of any alleged manhandling of Wangchuk and protesters.

Trinamool Congress leader Sagarika Ghose also condemned the police action, calling it an example of state coercion.

While Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav described Wangchuk's removal as an assault on democracy and the Constitution, she called it tyranny.

The criticism came after Wangchuk was taken to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday morning.

Later, the Safdarjung Hospital issued a statement and said that Sonam Wangchuk was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital at 7:40 am on Saturday for necessary medical care.

He is weak due to prolonged fasting and dehydration. While his condition is currently stable, he requires continuous observation, monitoring and treatment to restore his vital body parameters, the statement from the hospital's PRO added.

Following his hospitalisation, Delhi Police began clearing protesters from the Jantar Mantar site amid heavy security deployment.

Defending the action, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma said Wangchuk was shifted to hospital in compliance with the Delhi High Court's directions and on the advice of medical experts due to his deteriorating health. He said some protesters attempted to obstruct the exercise, leading to a brief commotion, but added that police exercised maximum restraint.

Sharma later told reporters that Wangchuk had been admitted to an appropriate government hospital for necessary medical intervention and remained under medical supervision.

Meanwhile, Abhijeet Dipke, Founding President of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), alleged that Wangchuk was forcibly taken away and claimed he was assaulted while trying to reach the protest site. CJP Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das also alleged that students at the protest site were subjected to a lathi-charge by Delhi Police. There was no immediate official response to these allegations.

Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged nationwide examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak controversy. He and his supporters had also announced a march to Parliament on July 20 to press for their demands.

On Thursday, the Delhi High Court directed authorities to monitor Wangchuk's health on a daily basis during his hunger strike, observing that every citizen's life is precious and that any necessary medical intervention, as advised by government doctors, should be provided.

- Ends