'We will remain sitting until we meet him': Oppn MPs protest outside Medanta Hospital over Wangchuk
A political standoff emerged outside Medanta Hospital in Gurugram after a group of Opposition MPs was prevented from meeting social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite fast linked to the CJP protest and demands over the NEET paper leak issue.
The delegation included MPs from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Samajwadi Party (SP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and other Opposition parties.
After being stopped at the hospital's main entrance, the MPs staged a sit-in protest demanding permission to meet Wangchuk.
MPs submit letter through Wangchuk's wife
The MPs had planned to hand over a letter signed by 55 parliamentarians, urging Sonam Wangchuk to end his indefinite fast considering his health condition.
After they were denied access, the delegation submitted the letter to Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo.
The letter reportedly requested Wangchuk to end his fast while assuring him that his concerns regarding students and examination reforms were being heard.
AAP MP Sanjay Singh criticised the police action and alleged that Opposition MPs were being treated differently from BJP leaders.
He claimed that Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh had been allowed to meet Sonam Wangchuk, while Opposition representatives were stopped.
Singh questioned why elected representatives were prevented from meeting a person admitted to a hospital and said the delegation only wanted to deliver a message requesting Wangchuk to protect his health.
MPs demand explanation from police
RJD MP Sanjay Yadav accused authorities of allowing BJP leaders to meet Wangchuk while restricting Opposition representatives.
He questioned the police action and demanded clarity over who issued the instructions to prevent the MPs from entering the hospital.
Samajwadi Party MP Priya Saroj also questioned the medical protocol cited by police for restricting access.
She said the MPs would continue their sit-in until they were allowed to meet Wangchuk.
Earlier, Sonam Wangchuk had demanded an assurance from the Centre that protesters involved in the CJP's 'Sansad Chalo' march would not face any punitive or retaliatory legal action.
Wangchuk, who entered the 25th day of his indefinite fast, said protesters had only raised their voices for a fair and accountable education system.
He said he would consider ending his fast if the government provided assurance that young protesters would not face legal action for participating in the movement.
CJP protest and legal action
The CJP has been leading protests in Delhi over the NEET paper leak controversy and other demands, including calls for accountability from the government.
Following the protests, Delhi Police registered 10 FIRs related to incidents during the demonstrations.
The Delhi High Court has also issued notices to the Centre and Delhi Police on petitions alleging excessive use of force during the protests. The court directed authorities to preserve CCTV footage and other electronic records connected with the incidents.
The latest confrontation outside Medanta Hospital has added another layer to the ongoing political dispute surrounding the CJP protest.
While Opposition parties have accused the government and police of restricting democratic expression, authorities have maintained that security and procedural considerations must be followed during such situations.
The standoff continues as Sonam Wangchuk remains on fast and protesters continue pressing their demands.