Wangchuk’s shift to hospital sparks Congress, NCP (SP) attack on Centre

Maharashtra Congress and NCP (SP) criticised the Delhi Police for shifting activist Sonam Wangchuk to hospital during his hunger strike, alleging the Centre was suppressing democratic dissent. They urged the government to hold talks with protesters instead of resorting to force

Mumbai: Opposition Congress and NCP (SP) in Maharashtra on Saturday criticised the shifting of activist Sonam Wangchuk to a hospital by Delhi Police, saying the action amounted to suppression of democratic dissent and showed the government’s “authoritarian mindset”.

Wangchuk had been on an indefinite hunger strike in Delhi since June 28 in support of the CJP-led protest over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and the alleged deaths of students linked to the controversy On Saturday morning, he was shifted to the Safdarjung Hospital in the national capital after his health deteriorated on the 21st day of the stir, with the police citing medical advice and directions of the Delhi High Court.

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Maharashtra Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar alleged that the Centre’s action against Wangchuk reflected an “authoritarian mindset” and amounted to suppression of democratic dissent.

In a statement, he said the use of police force against Wangchuk, who has been on a prolonged hunger strike, was “unfortunate and condemnable”. Instead of initiating dialogue with a Gandhian protester, the Union government resorted to force, he said.

“The BJP government is trying to silence every voice raised against it. Democracy survives on discussion and dissent, not intimidation,” Wadettiwar said.

He further alleged that detaining Wangchuk instead of engaging with him exposed the Centre’s “dictatorial approach”, and urged the government to hold talks with the activist rather than suppress the agitation.

NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil criticised the detention of Wangchuk from the protest site in Delhi, saying the police action to shift him to a hospital without giving due consideration to his demands was “deeply concerning”. In a post on X, the former state minister said the action appeared to be an attempt to suppress the ongoing agitation.

“In democracy, every citizen has the fundamental right to protest and express their opinion,” he said. The former Maharashtra minister urged the Centre to hold “sensitive discussions” on the protesters’ demands and work towards a solution instead of resorting to such action. “The voice of the people must be heard in democracy,” Patil said.