Leftist parties condemn Wangchuk’s removal, use of force; back continued protest

Left parties on Saturday (July 18, 2026) condemned the police action against activist Sonam Wangchuk and protesters at Jantar Mantar, accusing the Center of suppressing democratic dissent instead of addressing alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, while lending support to the ongoing student-led agitation.

Also read | CJP hunger strike update on 18th July

Their comments came after educationist and climate activist Mr Wangchuk, who had been on hunger strike for 21 days, was forcibly removed from Jantar Mantar earlier in the day by the Delhi Police and taken to Safdarjung Hospital.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation said the protest would continue despite Mr Wangchuk’s removal from the protest site, while three members of its student wing AISA – Neha, Manish and Aameen – would continue their indefinite hunger strike. The party also called on people to join the Parliamentary March on July 20.

CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby and Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary D Raja also criticized the police action, saying the government resorted to force instead of responding to the protesters’ demands, and called for the resignation of union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

CPI(ML) Liberation claimed in a statement that the Modi government had opted for “intimidation, force and suppression of democratic dissent” because it “had no answers to the growing anger against corruption, paper leaks and the systematic destruction of the public education system”.

In a post on X, party general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said the police intervened when fewer protesters were present.

“In the early hours of the 21st day of the protest fast at Jantar Mantar, when the presence was a little thin, the Delhi Police managed to remove Sonam Wangchuk from the protest site. However, the students thwarted the police’s plan to disrupt and comrades Neha, Manish and Aameen are now continuing their fast from the main stage. Salute the exemplary strength and determination of the student,” Bhattach told the student.

CPI(ML) Liberation also reiterated its call for a parliamentary march on July 20, demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, dissolution of the National Testing Agency (NTA), scrapping of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and an end to paper leaks.

In a post on X, Mr Baby said: “Strongly condemn the detention of Sonam Wangchuk and Abhijeet Dipke by the Delhi Police. Instead of removing the Education Minister under whose nose the scandalous paper leak took place and dismantling the system that continues to destroy the future of millions of students, the government is coming down hard on peaceful protesters.”

“This shows the authoritarian attitude of the Modi government. Silencing dissent cannot replace accountability,” he added.

Mr. Raja also condemned the police action, saying, “The Delhi Police’s attack on a peaceful democratic protest and the forceful removal of Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar is absolutely condemnable. The attack on CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and other protesters reflects a mentality that favors the use of force over dialogue and accountability.”

“If the government really cares about the health of Sonam Wangchuk, it should engage with the protesters and address their legitimate demands instead of resorting to repression. The rot in India’s examination system is now visible to the entire country. Not even the tragic loss of 17 students could make this government acknowledge its failures.”

“Force will not destroy the determination of millions of students fighting for justice. Repression cannot bury the truth,” Mr. Raja said, adding that education.

Delhi Police on Saturday forcibly shifted Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital after his health deteriorated on the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike, citing expert medical advice and directions of the Delhi High Court.

Following the police action, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijit Dipke began an indefinite hunger strike while AISA activists Neha, Manish and Aameen continued their fast at Jantar Mantar on the 21st.

Protest organizers said the July 20 march to parliament would go ahead as planned.

Published – 18 Jul 2026 23:19 IST