Mumbai, July 18: Maharashtra Congress President Harshvardhan Sapkal has expressed strong objections to the Delhi Police’s decision to take social activist Sonam Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital from Jantar Mantar.
Wangchuk had been on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar for several days, protesting against the NEET paper leak. Opposition leaders had urged him to end his fast, but Wangchuk remained resolute.
Speaking to the media in Mumbai, Sapkal stated that the right to protest peacefully is fundamental in a democracy. He questioned why the education minister had not resigned following the paper leak incident. “The democratic protest at Jantar Mantar faced unwarranted action,” he noted.
Sapkal further asserted that the events at Jantar Mantar represent another step towards dictatorship in India. He condemned the entire operation in the strongest terms.
“If movements initiated through democratic means are not accepted by the government, it is clear that what is unfolding in this country is not democracy but dictatorship,” he emphasized. He criticized the forced removal of Wangchuk from the protest site and the use of police force against demonstrators as actions against democratic principles.
On a statement made by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav regarding a wedding, Sapkal highlighted pressing issues such as unemployment, repeated paper leaks, national security concerns, ongoing violence against women, and farmers not receiving fair prices for their crops. Instead of addressing these serious matters, he claimed that the government diverts attention by raising divisive issues and focusing on OBC-related politics.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray remarked that the manner in which Wangchuk was removed from Jantar Mantar was unprecedented, stating that such actions never occurred even during British rule. He accused the BJP of bringing the worst form of dictatorship to the country, while also suggesting that they lack the courage to admit that an emergency is in effect.
Leave a Comment