‘No amount of force can deter…’: Rahul Gandhi’s first statement on removal of Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar | Today’s news
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday termed the police action of shifting activist Sonam Wangchuk to hospital after his 20-day hunger strike at Jantar Mantar as “wrong”.
Delhi Police moved Wangchuk from the protest site to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday morning after concerns about his health grew following a prolonged fast during which he demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
In a post on X, Gandhi said that “no force” could deter Indian students from protesting against the paper leak and student suicides.
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Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital due to her deteriorating health after a 20-day hunger strike, based on medical advice and a court order.
Rahul Gandhi described the police’s removal of Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar as “wrong” and an act of violence against a peaceful protest, stressing that no force can deter students from raising critical issues.
Wangchuk’s health suffered from dehydration, low potassium and rising ketone levels, a risk to kidney function, requiring medical intervention after 20 days of fasting.
Wangchuk and Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and reforms in the examination system amid allegations of paper leaks and student suicides.
While doctors recommended intravenous fluids and treatment for his condition, Wangchuk refused treatment, asserting his right to refuse intervention without family consent.
“The basic tenets of Modi’s government are Asatya (falsehood) and Hinsa (violence). The removal of Sonam Wangchuk ji from Jantar Mantar when she was on a non-violent hunger strike is wrong. Paper leaks, rising cost of education and student suicides are critical issues for India’s future. No force can dissuade Indian students from these issues who believe in them, Rahul and believe in us.
The Congress has called for the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan before the start of the monsoon session of Parliament on July 20.
Read also | Sonam Wangchuk hospitalised: A detailed account of the chaos at the CJP protest
Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal accused the Center of “smashing the peaceful protest” in a “fascist manner”.
“Instead of removing Dharmendra Pradhan from his post, Sonam Wangchuk removed her from his protest seat. Compassion and humanity were needed from the government but in true fascist style, they chose to crush the peaceful protest as public pressure was mounting on them. This is a highly condemnable act which the public will punish at the appropriate time and we will demand Dhardra to continue the full protest. Pradhan will be removed from his post as minister education before the start of the monsoon session of Parliament,” he wrote on X.
Sonam Wangchuk Health Update
Meanwhile, doctors at Safdarjung Hospital found that activist Sonam Wangchuk was facing dehydration, low potassium and rising ketone levels, which can increase during fasting, but if significantly elevated along with dehydration, can pose a risk for kidney function and other metabolic complications.
Read also | Sonam Wangchuk News LIVE: Rahul Gandhi breaks silence amid protest, slams Center
After 20 days of prolonged starvation, he is in the hospital under close medical supervision. Hospital authorities are constantly advising the family to allow the treatment to begin without further delay, hospital sources said.
Wangchuk was admitted to VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital at 7.40 am. At the time of admission, he was conscious with a stable pulse, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation.
Doctors recommended intravenous fluids for Sonam Wangchuk, but he refused intravenous treatment, oral rehydration fluids and all other medications. The hospital said he continues to be closely monitored and advised to accept treatment for the sake of his health.
The police action drew criticism from several opposition parties, including the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Samajwadi Party and Trinamool Congress.
Read also | Hrithik Roshan opens up about ‘student trauma’ and lends support to Sonam Wangchuk
The agitation at Jantar Mantar is being led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) along with leftist student organizations AISA and SFI.
What did Dipke say
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said the protest would continue despite the action against Wangchuk and announced that he would continue his indefinite hunger strike.
Wangchuk announced a march to parliament on July 20. However, according to sources, the CJP has not yet approached the Delhi Police to give it the necessary permission to hold the march.
