Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee and other Opposition leaders criticised Sonam Wangchuk's removal from Jantar Mantar, while the BJP said the police acted to protect his health.
Delhi: What began as a peaceful hunger strike by climate activist and education reform advocate Sonam Wangchuk has now turned into a major political controversy.
On Saturday, Delhi Police shifted Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital after he completed 21 days of an indefinite fast in support of students protesting alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including the NEET paper leak case.
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Police said the decision was taken to monitor his health in accordance with directions from the Delhi High Court. However, the timing of the move — just a day after a new Delhi Police Commissioner assumed office — immediately drew criticism from several Opposition parties.
Rahul Gandhi leads Opposition criticism
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi called Wangchuk's removal "wrong", saying the government should have listened to the concerns raised by students instead of acting against a peaceful protest. He said issues such as paper leaks, the rising cost of education and student suicides were too serious to be ignored.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP-led government of suppressing dissent, while senior Congress leader Pawan Khera described the action as an attack on democratic values. Khera also questioned whether the appointment of the new Delhi Police Commissioner had any link to the operation.
Other Opposition leaders demand dialogue
Support for Wangchuk came from several Opposition leaders across party lines. Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal said the government should have chosen dialogue instead of force and urged it to focus on improving the country's education and examination system.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra alleged that the government was trying to derail a planned march to Parliament, while West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appealed for transparency, accountability and respect for democratic rights.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav demanded that the identities of the plainclothes police personnel involved in the operation be made public. He also sought judicial oversight of Wangchuk's medical treatment.
BJP says hospitalisation was necessary
The BJP strongly defended the police action, insisting that it had nothing to do with politics. Party leader Shahnawaz Hussain said the Delhi High Court had directed authorities to ensure Wangchuk's health was monitored and that shifting him to hospital was necessary after his condition worsened.
Delhi BJP president and Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra also maintained that the decision was taken in the interest of Wangchuk's health and said later developments suggested the protest had acquired a political dimension.
Anna Hazare urges talks
Veteran social activist Anna Hazare urged the Union government to open discussions with Wangchuk instead of allowing the standoff to continue. He said there was nothing wrong with holding talks and called on the government to clearly respond to the activist's demands.
The controversy has also spread beyond Jantar Mantar. Delhi Police said it would not permit the proposed 'Sansad Chalo' march to Parliament, arguing that organisers had not obtained fresh permission after the original approval for the protest expired.
Organisers rejected the claim, saying the police had already been informed about the march. With both sides standing firm, the dispute has widened into a larger debate over students' concerns, the right to peaceful protest and the government's handling of dissent.
Published: 19 Jul 2026, 08:12 am IST
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