New Delhi [India], July 18 (ANI): Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera on Saturday criticised the Centre over the police action against climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, alleging that the government was attempting to suppress the right to dissent guaranteed under the Indian Constitution.
Reacting to the development in a post on X, Khera said that the Centre was denying the constitutional right to dissent, questioning the timing of the new Delhi Police Commissioner’s appointment.
“Our Constitution guarantees the right to dissent. The Home Ministry appears determined to deny it. The Delhi Police reports directly to the Home Ministry – the very Ministry that appointed a new Police Commissioner in Delhi just yesterday,” he wrote.
“If today’s crackdown is his first brief, it sends a chilling message: political obedience takes precedence over Constitutional duty,” he added.
Khera alleged that the government’s actions reflected a disregard for democratic rights.
“From dragging away women wrestlers to manhandling ex-servicemen, this government has repeatedly demonstrated its contempt for the Constitution. Today’s actions lay bare this government’s mindset: peaceful protest is not a fundamental democratic right to be protected, but a law-and-order problem to be crushed,” he said.
Khera further hit out at the BJP, alleging that the world’s largest democracy was being governed by an anti-democratic party.
“It is a shame that the world’s largest democracy is being ‘ruled’ by the most undemocratic and anti-democratic political party of the world,” he said.
https://x.com/Pawankhera/status/2078355708987478181
His remarks came after Delhi Police took away Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday morning due to health concerns following 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.
She added that Wangchuk was fully conscious and admitted under the Department of Medicine for further observation.
According to sources, two doctors and two paramedics from Safdarjung Hospital have been deployed for Wangchuk’s medical care.
Delhi Police sources said a team of doctors and paramedics from RML Hospital had conducted a health check-up of Wangchuk and advised hospitalisation due to his deteriorating health. Sources said Wangchuk initially refused the recommendation, following which he was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital in an ambulance.
Earlier in the day, Delhi Police said the transfer was carried out in compliance with the Delhi High Court’s directions and on medical advice. Police officials said maximum restraint was exercised during the operation.
The police action has drawn criticism from several Opposition leaders, including those from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Samajwadi Party, Congress and Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for 20 days, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged nationwide examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak controversy.
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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