Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Centre after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted from Delhi’s Jantar Mantar protest site to Safdarjung Hospital following a prolonged hunger strike. Calling the development deeply disturbing, Thackeray accused the government of failing to engage with a respected public figure despite his weeks-long protest.
Visiting the protest site in the national capital, Thackeray expressed disappointment over the government’s handling of the agitation and questioned why there had been no attempt to initiate talks with Wangchuk, who had been fasting in support of demands related to alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
“This is one of the darkest days in the history of Indian politics. A person this great, an educationist, a scientist, who has worked for farmers, worked for students, worked for our army, has been on a hunger strike for 20 days, and the central government, forget about resigning, isn’t even coming forward for a conversation,” Amit Thackeray said.
Earlier in the day, Delhi Police shifted Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital, stating that the decision was taken after his health deteriorated during the hunger strike. According to the police, the move was based on expert medical advice and directions issued by the Delhi High Court, which had instructed authorities to ensure regular medical monitoring of the activist.
In an official statement, Delhi Police said Wangchuk was moved to the hospital for essential medical care. The police also stated that some protesters attempted to prevent the transfer, leading to a brief commotion at the protest site. However, officials maintained that the operation was carried out with restraint and appealed to demonstrators to peacefully vacate Jantar Mantar.
Wangchuk had joined the ongoing protest on June 28 and had been observing an indefinite hunger strike in support of demands for a judicial probe into the alleged NEET examination irregularities, reforms in the country’s examination system and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The agitation, organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), has been underway at Jantar Mantar since June 20. Despite Wangchuk’s hospitalisation, protest organisers have indicated that the movement will continue, with several activists remaining at the site and continuing their hunger strike.
Amit Thackeray’s remarks have added a fresh political dimension to the controversy, as debate continues over the government’s response to Wangchuk’s protest and the circumstances surrounding his transfer to hospital.
