Protest – Opposition Leaders Question Police Action After Sonam Wangchuk Hospitalised
Protest –Opposition parties strongly criticised the Delhi Police on Saturday after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted from his protest site at Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital. Several leaders alleged that the authorities acted against a peaceful demonstration, while the police maintained that the decision was taken on medical grounds following legal directions and expert advice.
Opposition Leaders Raise Concerns
Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia accused the Central government of attempting to silence those speaking out over alleged examination paper leaks. In a post on X, he claimed that people raising concerns about the issue were being prevented from expressing their views and described the response as an attempt to suppress public dissent.
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh also criticised the development, alleging that Wangchuk, who had been observing a prolonged hunger strike, was removed instead of having his demands addressed. He argued that the use of force against protesters reflected an abuse of power and warned that public dissatisfaction over such actions could have political consequences.
Allegations Over Protest Site Operation
AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that some police personnel entered the protest venue in plain clothes. He further claimed that white sheets were used to block camera views during the operation, raising concerns that any physical confrontation would not be captured on video. These allegations have not been independently verified.
Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose also criticised the police action through a social media post, describing it as an example of excessive state force. She questioned the government’s handling of peaceful demonstrations and called the incident unacceptable.
Samajwadi Party Condemns Police Action
Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav described the removal of Wangchuk as an attack on democratic values and constitutional rights. She stated that peaceful protests are a legitimate form of public expression and alleged that the government’s approach reflected growing intolerance toward dissent.
Police Explain Hospital Transfer
The criticism followed Wangchuk’s transfer to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday morning. According to official sources, the climate activist remained conscious after being admitted to the emergency ward, where doctors continued to monitor his health. His vital signs were reported to be stable.
Delhi Police also cleared protesters from the Jantar Mantar site after Wangchuk’s hospitalisation. Security personnel were deployed in large numbers as demonstrators were requested to vacate the area.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) stated that the hospital transfer was carried out in compliance with directions issued by the Delhi High Court and based on medical advice after Wangchuk’s health reportedly deteriorated. Police said some protesters attempted to resist the process, resulting in a brief disturbance, but maintained that officers exercised restraint throughout the operation.
Later, DCP Sachin Sharma told reporters that Wangchuk had been shifted to an appropriate government medical facility for necessary treatment and remained under continuous medical supervision.
Additional Allegations and Background
Abhijeet Dipke, Founding President of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), alleged that Wangchuk was forcibly taken away by police and claimed he was assaulted while attempting to reach the protest venue. Separately, CJP Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das alleged on X that Dipke had been stopped by Delhi Police and that students present at the protest site were subjected to a lathi-charge. There was no immediate official response to these claims.
Wangchuk had been on a hunger strike for around 20 days, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak controversy. His supporters had also announced a march to Parliament on July 20 to press for their demands.
Earlier this week, the Delhi High Court directed authorities to monitor Wangchuk’s health every day during his fast. The court observed that protecting the life of every citizen was of utmost importance and instructed that any medical intervention recommended by government doctors should be provided without delay.