The detention of activists Sonam Wangchuk and Abhijit Dipke was condemned by CPI(M) leader MA Baby. He said that instead of taking action against those who are ruining the future of students, the government is targeting peaceful protesters. Called it a dictatorial attitude.
New Delhi [भारत]July 18 (ANI): Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary MA Baby on Saturday condemned the Delhi Police action against climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijit Dipke. In a post on Twitter, MA Baby alleged that the government is using a “heavy hand” against the protesters instead of taking action against those responsible for alleged irregularities in the education system. He said, “Strongly condemn the detention of Sonam Wangchuk and Abhijit Dipke by Delhi Police. Instead of sacking the Education Minister, under whose nose the shameful incident of paper leak happened and instead of dismantling the system that is ruining the future of lakhs of students, the government is coming down heavily on peaceful protesters.”
He further alleged that the action reflected a “dictatorial attitude” and said that “silencing dissent cannot be a substitute for accountability.” “This reflects the dictatorial attitude of the Modi government. Silencing dissent cannot be a substitute for accountability,” he said.
Chandrashekhar Azad also criticized the action
Meanwhile, Azad Samaj Party chief and MP Chandrashekhar Azad also criticized the police action, calling it a “direct attack on democratic values”. In a statement, Azad alleged that Wangchuk, who was on an indefinite hunger strike for 21 days at Jantar Mantar, was forcibly admitted to the hospital by police personnel and claimed that his colleagues were assaulted and detained. Azad said, “Democracy has once again been put to shame! The forced taking of Shri Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a peaceful indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in Delhi for the last 21 days, to the hospital by plainclothes police officers, along with the assault and detention of her colleagues, is completely condemnable and a direct attack on democratic values.”
He also compared the incident to previous protests, including the ex-servicemen movement over One Rank One Pension and the wrestlers’ protest, and alleged that peaceful movements had been dealt with in a similar manner in the past. He wrote in his post on
Praying for Wangchuk’s health and strength, he said, “We pray to Mother Nature to grant Shri Sonam Wangchuk excellent health, strength and long life.”
Sonam Wangchuk admitted in hospital
Wangchuk was taken to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday morning after a long hunger strike. The hospital said Wangchuk was admitted for urgent health care and was weak due to prolonged fasting and dehydration. “Mr. Sonam Wangchuk has been admitted to Safdarjung Hospital for essential health care. He is weak due to prolonged fasting and dehydration. Though he is currently stable, he requires constant observation, monitoring and treatment to restore his body parameters,” the hospital said.
Wangchuk is on a hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over allegations of nationwide examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak controversy.
Police gave reason for action
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. Delhi Police officials said that he is under medical observation and maximum restraint was exercised during the situation.
Opposition parties criticized, agitation continues
The development has been criticized by several opposition leaders, including the Aam Aadmi Party, Samajwadi Party, Congress and Trinamool Congress. Members of Left student unions also joined the protest organized by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. CJP founder Abhijit Dipke announced that he would continue the indefinite hunger strike and said that the agitation would continue despite the action against Wangchuk. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Asianet News editorial staff except for the headline and is published from a syndicated feed.)