New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday criticised the BJP-led Central government after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital following 20 days of hunger strike. Gandhi accused the Centre of suppressing peaceful dissent and alleged that its politics was based on “Asatya (lies) and Hinsa (violence).”
The core tenets of the Modi government are Asatya and Hinsa.
The removal of Sonam Wangchuk ji from Jantar Mantar while he was on a non-violent hunger strike is wrong.
Paper leaks, the rising cost of education, and student suicides are critical issues for India’s future.
No…
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 18, 2026
In a post on X using the hashtag #ChhatronKiGoonj, Gandhi said, “The core tenets of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government are ‘Asatya’ and ‘Hinsa’. The removal of Sonam Wangchuk ji from Jantar Mantar while he was on a non-violent hunger strike is wrong.”
He said issues such as paper leaks, the rising cost of education and student suicides were critical for the country’s future, adding that “no amount of force can deter India’s students, and those of us who love and believe in them, from raising these issues.”
Opposition leaders rally behind Wangchuk
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks came after Delhi Police shifted Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital on medical advice after his health deteriorated during his prolonged hunger strike. Police said the action was taken in compliance with the Delhi High Court’s directions.
The protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak.
Several Opposition leaders also criticised the police action. Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed concern over Wangchuk’s health and said peaceful dissent deserved dialogue, not silence.
Mamata, Pawar, Khera and Raut criticise Centre
In a post on X, Mamata Banerjee said Wangchuk had only sought dialogue but his appeal was met with silence. “In a democracy, peaceful dissent deserves engagement, not silence. His voice has been ignored, just as the voices of countless young Indians continue to be ignored,” she said.
Congress leader Pawan Khera alleged that the government was undermining the constitutional right to dissent, while NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar claimed the Centre had ignored the protesters despite the growing movement.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also condemned the police action, calling it “authoritarian” and alleging that it was an attempt to divert attention from other political issues.
Protest centres on NEET paper leak
Sonam Wangchuk has been participating in the agitation at Jantar Mantar over alleged nationwide examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak controversy. His hospitalisation has intensified political reactions, with several Opposition parties accusing the Centre of suppressing peaceful protests instead of addressing students’ concerns.