Arvind Kejriwal criticised PM Modi over the removal of Sonam Wangchuk from his protest, urging him not to be ‘arrogant.’ He alleged mistreatment of the activist and questioned the government’s response to the protest over exam irregularities.
Kejriwal Slams ‘Arrogance’, Alleges Mistreatment
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the removal of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site, urging him not to act with “arrogance” and saying that “history is witness” to the consequences of such behaviour.
In a self-recorded video message posted on X, Kejriwal said, “I want to pray to Modiji, don’t do this, don’t be so arrogant. So much arrogance is not good. History is witness that whenever someone has been so arrogant, that person has been destroyed.”
Kejriwal alleged that Wangchuk was taken away from the protest site in an improper manner and claimed that his supporters were mistreated during the action. “When I woke up this morning, I heard that Sonam Wangchuk ji was picked up in a very wrong way, and an attempt was made to break his fast. Police were sent in plain clothes, he was covered with a bedsheet from all sides, and his companions were mistreated, insulted, pushed, and shoved before he was picked up and admitted to the hospital,” he said.
Comparing the incident with Mahatma Gandhi’s hunger strikes during the freedom movement, Kejriwal questioned the government’s response to the protest. “Gandhiji had kept such long fasts. Even the British did not behave like this. Is this why we fought for independence, so that one day our own government would behave like this?” he said.
Kejriwal said Wangchuk and protesting students were raising issues related to education and examination systems. “I want to ask Modiji, what are these children asking for? These are the children of our country. It is not right to mistreat them like this. These children are only asking for a good education system, that there should be no paper leaks and that there should be a good examination system,” he said.
The AAP leader alleged that instead of addressing these concerns, the government’s focus was on weakening the protest. “Instead of paying attention to that, the government’s entire focus is on how to fail their movement, how to discredit their movement, and how to insult their movement,” Kejriwal said.
In a post, he wrote, “Modi ji insulted Sonam Wangchuk out of arrogance today. Modi ji should have spoken with Sonam Wangchuk.” मोदी जी ने अहंकारवश आज सोनम वांगचुक का अपमान किया। मोदी जी को सोनम वांगचुक से बात करनी चाहिए थी। pic.twitter.com/fiT8i53foY — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 18, 2026
Police, Hospital Cite Health Concerns
His remarks came after Delhi Police took Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday morning following health concerns after his prolonged hunger strike.
Safdarjung Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Charu Bamba said Wangchuk was stable but had mild dehydration and weakness due to prolonged fasting. “Sonam Wangchuk arrived at our hospital around 7:40 AM. He is somewhat weak due to prolonged fasting and is experiencing mild dehydration; otherwise, all his vital parameters are stable. He is being continuously examined and monitored, and his treatment is underway,” Dr Bamba said.
Delhi Police said Wangchuk was shifted to the hospital in compliance with the Delhi High Court’s directions and on medical advice due to his deteriorating health. Police officials said maximum restraint was exercised during the operation.
The police action has drawn criticism from several Opposition leaders, including those from the Congress, Samajwadi Party and Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Wangchuk’s Protest Over Exam Irregularities
Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for 20 days, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged nationwide examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak controversy.
Members of left student organisations also joined the protest organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced that the protest would continue despite the action against Wangchuk and said he would continue an indefinite hunger strike. (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)