Political turmoil intensified due to CJP protest in Delhi, 18 metro stations closed. New questions after Sonam Wangchuk ends her fast, while PM Modi hints at more strict action on NEET paper leak.
New Delhi: : The country’s capital is currently standing on the cusp of an unprecedented political and social turmoil. The issue of NEET paper leak is no longer just an exam controversy, but has taken the form of a mass movement which has put a brake on the pace of Delhi. The anger of the students is erupting at Jantar Mantar, on the other hand, the decision of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on fast for 26 days, to suddenly end his fast has brought a mysterious twist to the whole story. After all, what happened behind the scenes that forced the government to bow down and turned Delhi into a cantonment?
18 metro stations closed and liquor ban at 8 pm: Is there an emergency like situation in Delhi?
Saturday morning started with a big shock for the people of Delhi. In view of the ongoing violent protests at Jantar Mantar led by the satirical political group, ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ (CJP), security agencies hastily closed the doors of 18 metro stations in the New Delhi area. The students are directly adamant on the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The tension can be gauged from the fact that on the input of Delhi Police, the government has issued a strict order to close liquor shops on weekends at 8 pm instead of 10 pm. CJP claims that the central government has asked for time till Saturday afternoon to resolve the impasse and consider the demand for resignation. With the clock ticking, everyone is wondering what is going to happen in the afternoon?
Was there any ‘deal’ between Wangchuk and the government?
Amidst this entire incident, the biggest suspense was created in Medanta Hospital of Gurugram late on Thursday night. Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been giving up a grain of food for the last 26 days, suddenly announced to end her fast. The shocking thing was that two prominent Union Ministers of the country – JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh were present near his bed. As soon as this news came out, the market of allegations became heated on social media. Has Wangchuk made any secret agreement with the government? Wangchuk himself debunked these speculations in a shocking 24-minute YouTube video released late Friday night. He clarified that he took this step only after the government gave three written assurances:
- There will be no legal action against the students protesting at Jantar Mantar and the protesters of the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march on July 20.
- The families of the student victims who committed suicide will get compensation.
- There will be an open and detailed discussion on the paper leak issue on the floor of Parliament.
“Organs are irreparably damaged”: an emotional outcry from the hospital bed
Hitting back at critics and allegations of ‘deal’, Sonam Wangchuk, looking very weak, released a video message on Instagram from the hospital bed. Both anger and helplessness were clearly visible in his words. Wangchuk asked emotionally: “After fasting for 26 days, do I now have to seek a character certificate as to how sacred my fast was? If there was a deal to be made, couldn’t I sit in a luxurious air-conditioned room rather than risk my life on the roadside in the scorching heat of Delhi?”
This fast has almost ruined Wangchuk’s body. His weight has reduced by 11 kg. He quoted the doctors as saying that his muscles had been completely destroyed and his organs and brain had suffered such serious damage that he might never be able to recover completely.
PM Modi’s promise of ‘more strict action’: Will students’ anger stop?
On one hand, there is a war on the streets of Delhi, on the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken direct charge on this issue. Making clear the government’s intention against paper leaks, PM Modi said: “Paper leak is not a trivial matter. It is very sad for lakhs of students and their families. That is why many strict steps have been taken in the last two and a half months and more strict action will be taken in the coming days.” After this confidence from the Prime Minister and written assurances from the government, the ball is now in the court of the students and CJP. But 18 closed metro stations and deployment of heavy police force are screaming that the suspense hovering over Delhi is not going to end until the afternoon deadline is over.
Increasing pressure between government and protesters
Now the biggest question is whether the government will take any decisive action on the major demands of the students or the protests will take a more widespread form. The crowd gathered at Jantar Mantar, tight security in the capital, closure of metro stations and Sonam Wangchuk’s emotional message have not allowed this movement to be limited to just a student protest. At present the political and administrative activities of Delhi are revolving around this development. The entire country’s eyes are on the next announcement of the government and the next strategy of the protesters. The coming few hours may decide whether this movement will move towards a solution or a new chapter of nationwide debate and political confrontation will begin.