Congress leader Pawan Kheda condemned the police action on Sonam Wangchuk. He accused the Center of suppressing the right to dissent. Wangchuk, who was on hunger strike for 20 days, has been admitted to the hospital by the police citing health reasons.
New Delhi [भारत]July 18 (ANI): Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera on Saturday criticized the Center over the police action against climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. He alleged that the government was trying to suppress the right to dissent given under the Indian Constitution.
Pawan Kheda targeted the central government
Responding to this development in a post on X, Khera said the Center is denying the constitutional right to dissent, and he also questioned the timing of the appointment of the new Delhi Police Commissioner. He wrote, “Our Constitution grants the right to dissent. The Home Ministry seems hell-bent on denying it. Delhi Police reports directly to the Home Ministry – the same ministry that just yesterday appointed a new Delhi Police Commissioner.”
He added, “If today’s action is his first act, it sends a chilling message: Political obedience trumps constitutional duty.” Kheda alleged that the government’s actions reflected disregard for democratic rights.
He said, “From dragging women wrestlers to misbehaving with ex-servicemen, this government has time and again shown its disdain for the Constitution. Today’s action exposes the mentality of this government: peaceful protest is not a fundamental democratic right that must be protected, but a law-and-order problem that must be crushed.”
Khera further targeted the BJP and alleged that the world’s largest democracy is being ruled by an undemocratic party. “It is a matter of shame that the world’s largest democracy is being ‘ruled’ by the world’s most undemocratic and anti-democratic political party,” he said.
Sonam Wangchuk admitted to hospital
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 hunger strike.
What did the doctors say?
Safdarjung Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Charu Bamba said Wangchuk’s condition is stable, but he has mild dehydration and weakness due to prolonged fasting. Dr. Bamba said, “Sonam Wangchuk reached our hospital around 7:40 am. He is somewhat weak due to prolonged fasting and has mild dehydration; otherwise, all his vital parameters are stable. He is being continuously examined and monitored, and is undergoing treatment.”
He said Wangchuk is fully conscious and has been admitted to the medicine department for further observation. According to sources, two doctors and two paramedics have been deployed from Safdarjung Hospital for Wangchuk’s medical care.
Police gave clarification on the action
Delhi Police sources said a team of doctors and paramedics from RML Hospital had examined Wangchuk’s health and advised him to be admitted to the hospital due to his deteriorating health. Sources said Wangchuk initially refused the recommendation, following which he was taken to Safdarjung Hospital in an ambulance.
Earlier in the day, Delhi Police had said that the transfer was done following the directions of the Delhi High Court and on medical advice. Police officials said maximum restraint was exercised during the operation.
Protests will continue
This action of the police has been criticized by many opposition leaders including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Samajwadi Party, Congress and Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Wangchuk has been on a 20-day hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged nationwide examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak controversy.
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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