Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge targeted the Central Government over the police action on Sonam Wangchuk. Describing it as a black spot on democracy, he said that the government is targeting those who raise their voice and is not sparing anyone.
New Delhi [भारत]July 18 (ANI): Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday criticized the Center over the police action against climate activist Sonam Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar. He alleged that the government has targeted those who raised their voice against him.
Kharge called the central government a ‘dictator’
In a post shared on Twitter, Kharge alleged that the government has not spared anyone from farmers and students to Dalits, tribals and protesters raising public issues. Taking aim at the government, he said, “Whether it is Prof. GD Aggarwal who sat on a fast unto death for 111 days to save Mother Ganga, or the Olympic wrestlers of Haryana, whether it is our 750 Annadata farmers, Dalits-Tribals, or the 25 children and their families who were victims of the paper leak, this dictatorial government has not spared anyone…”
He further said, “In their eyes anyone who raises voice is ‘anti-national’ and a ‘parasite’!”
Kharge further wrote, “What happened today at Jantar Mantar is another black spot on democracy and the Constitution.”
Kharge said that the ‘Students Echo’ movement has started from Kota and Dehradun and it will reach Delhi. He said, “The roar of ‘Students Echo’ has started from Kota and Dehradun… It will definitely reach the doorstep of Delhi.”
Be it Prof. G.D. Agarwal, who was on a fast unto death for 111 days to save Mother Ganga, or Haryana’s Olympic wrestler, our 750 Annadata farmers, Dalits and tribals, or the 25 children and their families who were victims of the paper leak, this dictatorial government has spared no one… In their eyes, no one can… — Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) July 18, 2026
Hospital releases Wangchuk’s health update
His comments came after Delhi Police took Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday morning due to health concerns following his long fast.
Safdarjung Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Charu Bamba said Wangchuk is stable, but has mild dehydration and weakness due to prolonged fasting. Dr. Bamba said, “Sonam Wangchuk reached our hospital around 7:40 am. Due to prolonged fasting, he is somewhat weak and has mild dehydration; otherwise, all his vital parameters are stable. He is being continuously examined and monitored, and is undergoing treatment.”
Delhi Police said Wangchuk was shifted to the hospital on the directions of the Delhi High Court and on medical advice due to his deteriorating health. Police officials said maximum restraint was exercised during the operation.
Opposition condemned police action
Wangchuk is on a hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged nationwide examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak controversy.
This action of the police has been criticized by many opposition leaders including Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Samajwadi Party and Trinamool Congress.
Members of left student organizations also participated in the protest organized by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar. CJP founder Abhijit Dipke announced that the protests would continue despite the action against Wangchuk and said he would continue the indefinite hunger strike. (ANI)
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