New Delhi [India], July 18 (ANI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday criticised the Centre over the police action against climate activist Sonam Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar, alleging that the government had targeted those who raised their voice against it.
In a post shared on X, Kharge alleged that the government had spared no one, from farmers and students to Dalits, Adivasis and protesters raising public issues.
Targeting the government, he said, “Whether it’s Prof. GD Agrawal, who sat on a fast unto death for 111 days to save Mother Ganga, or the Olympic wrestler from Haryana, whether it’s our 750 farmer providers, Dalits and Adivasis, or the 25 children sacrificed to the paper leak and their families, this tyrannical government has spared no one.”
“In their eyes, anyone who raises their voice is an ‘Anti-National,’ a ‘parasite’!” he added.
“What happened at Jantar Mantar today is yet another black stain on democracy and the Constitution,” Kharge further wrote.
Kharge added that the “Students’ Echo” movement had begun from Kota and Dehradun and would reach Delhi.
“The clarion call of ‘Students’ Echo’ has begun from Kota and Dehradun…it will surely reach the thresholds of Delhi,” he said.
https://x.com/kharge/status/2078369671125033300
His remarks came after Delhi Police took Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday morning following concerns over his health after his prolonged hunger strike.
Safdarjung Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Charu Bamba said Wangchuk was stable but had mild dehydration and weakness due to prolonged fasting.
“Sonam Wangchuk arrived at our hospital around 7:40 AM. He is somewhat weak due to prolonged fasting and is experiencing mild dehydration; otherwise, all his vital parameters are stable. He is being continuously examined and monitored, and his treatment is underway,” Dr Bamba said.
Delhi Police said Wangchuk was shifted to the hospital in compliance with the Delhi High Court’s directions and on medical advice due to his deteriorating health. Police officials said maximum restraint was exercised during the operation.
Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged nationwide examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak controversy.
The police action has drawn criticism from several Opposition leaders, including those from the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Samajwadi Party and Trinamool Congress.
Members of left student organisations also joined the protest organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced that the protest would continue despite the action against Wangchuk and said he would continue an indefinite hunger strike. (ANI)
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