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🇮🇳 India /Culture & Society

'Falsehood, Violence': Rahul Gandhi Slams Govt Over Activist's Removal

From Hindustan Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the government's handling of activist Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike, calling his removal from Jantar Mantar "wrong."
  • Gandhi accused the Modi government of suppressing peaceful protests and adhering to "Asatya and Hinsa" (falsehood and violence).
  • Delhi Police stated Wangchuk was moved to a hospital on court orders due to deteriorating health, while CJP called it a "kidnapping."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticized the Narendra Modi government, accusing it of suppressing peaceful protests and acting on principles of "Asatya and Hinsa" (falsehood and violence).

Asatya and Hinsa

— Rahul Gandhidescribing the core tenets of the Narendra Modi government

Gandhi broke his silence on the alleged removal of activist Sonam Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site in Delhi. Wangchuk was on a non-violent hunger strike. Gandhi described Wangchuk's removal as "wrong" and linked the issue to pressing national challenges like paper leaks, rising education costs, and student suicides. He asserted that "no amount of force" could deter India's students or their supporters from raising these concerns, signaling the Congress party's solidarity with Wangchuk's protest.

it was wrong

— Rahul Gandhicommenting on the removal of Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar

Delhi Police stated that Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on July 18 on health grounds, complying with Delhi High Court directions to ensure he received medical care if his health deteriorated. The police claimed that during the process, protestors created an obstruction, leading to a "slight commotion," but maintained they exercised "maximum restraint."

no amount of force could stop India's students, or those who stand with them, from raising these issues

— Rahul Gandhiexpressing support for students and protesters

However, the CJP (Citizens for Justice and Peace) disputed the police's account. They maintained Wangchuk's health had not significantly deteriorated on the 21st day of his strike and described his hospitalization as a "kidnapping" by the police. The CJP alleged Wangchuk was "forcefully abducted" without consent just two days before a planned march to Parliament. CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das questioned the medical justification, claiming no doctor examined Wangchuk immediately before his removal, and accused authorities of attempting to suppress a growing protest movement.

As per high court orders and on expert medical advice, due to the deteriorating health condition of Sonam Wangchuk, he has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care.

— Delhi Policeexplaining the reason for moving Wangchuk to the hospital
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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