Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday criticised the Narendra Modi-led Central government over the alleged removal of environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk from Delhi's Jantar Mantar, accusing it of suppressing peaceful protests. Breaking his silence on the issue, Rahul said the government's actions reflected intolerance towards democratic dissent and expressed solidarity with Wangchuk's ongoing protest.
In a post shared on X, the Leader of the Opposition alleged that the Modi government's guiding principles were "Asatya" (falsehood) and "Hinsa" (violence). Referring to Wangchuk's removal while he was observing a non-violent hunger strike, Rahul described the action as "wrong" and questioned the government's approach towards peaceful demonstrations.
Drawing a connection between Wangchuk's protest and broader concerns affecting young Indians, Rahul Gandhi highlighted issues such as recurring paper leaks, the rising cost of education and the increasing number of student suicides. He said these were among the country's most urgent challenges and asserted that neither force nor intimidation could prevent students and those supporting them from raising their voices.
"The issues of paper leaks, expensive education and student suicides cannot be ignored. No amount of force can silence India's students or those standing with them," Rahul said, signalling the Congress party's support for Wangchuk and the concerns being raised through his protest.
Earlier on Saturday morning, activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital by the Delhi Police after his health reportedly deteriorated during his indefinite hunger strike. The police maintained that the decision was taken solely on medical grounds and in compliance with directions issued by the Delhi High Court.
In an official statement, the Delhi Police said the High Court had instructed authorities to ensure that Wangchuk received appropriate medical treatment if his condition worsened. Acting on expert medical advice, the police transported him to the hospital for essential care.
"As per High Court orders and on expert medical advice, due to the deteriorating health condition of Sonam Wangchuk, he has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care," the statement said.
The police further alleged that while implementing the court's directions, some protesters attempted to obstruct the process, leading to a brief commotion at the protest site. However, officials claimed that the situation was handled with "maximum restraint" and that the transfer was carried out safely without any major incident.
The development came amid heightened political attention surrounding Wangchuk's hunger strike, which has drawn support from various opposition leaders and civil society groups. While the Congress has accused the Centre of curbing peaceful democratic expression, the Delhi Police has maintained that its actions were guided by medical necessity and judicial directions aimed at safeguarding the activist's health.
The episode has once again sparked a political debate over the balance between the right to protest and the administration's responsibility to protect the health and safety of demonstrators, with both the ruling establishment and the opposition presenting sharply contrasting narratives.
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