After weeks of silence on Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday slammed the Centre for removing the climate activist from Jantar Mantar and accused the government of trying to suppress those who raise issues affecting students in the country.
"The core tenets of the Modi government are Asatya (falsehood) and Hinsa (violence). The removal of Sonam Wangchuk ji from Jantar Mantar while he was on a non-violent hunger strike is wrong," Gandhi posted on X.
The Congress leader said paper leaks, rising education cost and student suicides were 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," he posted with the hashtag, Chhatron Ki Goonj, his political campaign highlighting student issues.
Wangchuk, who began his hunger strike on June 28, had entered the 21st day of his fast on Saturday. He had earlier said that he would end his hunger strike on July 20, when the protest organisers, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), scheduled a march to Parliament.
However, Delhi Police on Saturday forcibly moved Wangchuk to the Safdarjung Hospital, citing Delhi High Court directions and expert medical advice.
The hospital authorities said Wangchuk has refused intravenous fluids, oral rehydration solution and other medications despite signs of dehydration and metabolic abnormalities. They added that he was conscious with stable pulse, blood pressure and oxygen saturation when admitted. "He is being continuously monitored and counselled for treatment in best interest of his health," the hospital statement said.
In a post on X, CJP shared a video of Wangchuk being removed from the protest site in a white sheet. "A frail old man, after 20 days of a hunger strike, was picked up, wrapped in white sheets and taken away by Delhi Police. This is a national shame," the CJP said.
CJP founder Abhijit Dipke alleged that the protesters were subjected to a police crackdown.
"I have been beaten up and put under detention by Delhi Police," Dipke said in a post on X.
