New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Central government after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was hospitalised due to deteriorating health following a 20-day hunger strike. Gandhi accused the government of suppressing peaceful dissent and described its functioning as being driven by “Asatya (lies) and Hinsa (violence).”
Taking to social media platform X with the hashtag #ChhatronKiGoonj, Rahul Gandhi criticised the removal of Wangchuk from Delhi’s Jantar Mantar while he was observing a non-violent hunger strike.
“The core tenets of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led 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,” Gandhi wrote.
He also highlighted issues affecting students across the country, including alleged examination paper leaks, rising education costs, and increasing student suicides. According to Gandhi, these are crucial concerns that deserve national attention.
“No amount of force can deter India’s students, and those of us who love and believe in them, from raising these issues,” he added.
Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to a hospital after his health reportedly deteriorated following a prolonged hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. The protest, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak controversy.
The police action against Wangchuk drew widespread criticism from several Opposition leaders.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed concern over Wangchuk’s health, saying his repeated appeals for dialogue had gone unanswered.
“Deeply concerned about Sonam Wangchuk’s health and well-being. He asked only for dialogue, yet his appeal has been met with silence for weeks. In a democracy, peaceful dissent deserves engagement, not silence,” Banerjee posted on X.
Congress leader Pawan Khera also criticised the Centre, stating that the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to dissent.
“Our Constitution guarantees the right to dissent. The Home Ministry appears determined to deny it,” Khera said.
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) chief Sharad Pawar alleged that the government had failed to respond to the growing public protests.
“Despite the growing protests, the central government has remained a mute spectator. That is why other political parties have stepped in to support the movement,” Pawar told reporters.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut described the police action as “authoritarian” and alleged that it was an attempt to divert public attention from the ongoing Ram Raksha protest in Maharashtra.
The developments have intensified the political confrontation between the ruling NDA government and the Opposition, with questions being raised over the handling of peaceful protests and the broader concerns surrounding the NEET examination controversy.
