New Delhi: Oppn Unites Over Wangchuk, Plans House Offensive
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the government of treating anyone who raised their voice as “anti-national”: Reports
NEW DELHI: Several Opposition parties will meet on Monday to finalise a joint strategy to corner the government during the Monsoon Session of Parliament over issues ranging from the alleged Ayodhya treasury theft and examination paper leaks to the forcible removal of activist Sonam Wangchuk from his protest at Jantar Mantar.
The proposed meeting comes amid widespread Opposition condemnation of the manner in which Wangchuk, who was on an indefinite hunger strike over problems affecting students, was shifted to hospital on Saturday.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi described Wangchuk’s removal from the protest site as “wrong” and alleged that “falsehood and violence” were the core tenets of the Narendra Modi government. He said paper leaks, the rising cost of education and student suicides were critical issues concerning India’s future.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the government of treating anyone who raised their voice as “anti-national”. Referring to earlier protests by environmentalist G.D. Agarwal, wrestlers, farmers, Dalits, Adivasis and students affected by paper leaks, Kharge said the action at Jantar Mantar was “another blot” on democracy and the Constitution.
The criticism was echoed by leaders of the Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, Shiv Sena (UBT), Aam Aadmi Party, CPM and NCP(SP), indicating that Wangchuk’s removal could emerge as a major rallying point for the Opposition in Parliament.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said Wangchuk had sought only a dialogue but his appeals had been ignored for weeks. Peaceful dissent deserved engagement rather than suppression, she said, demanding that he be allowed treatment at a private hospital if he wished.
AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal accused the government of trying to discredit the students’ movement instead of addressing demands for a better education system, an end to paper leaks and credible examinations.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav termed the use of force “reprehensible” and demanded that those involved in the operation be identified. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said the government should have sent a delegation to hold talks with Wangchuk instead of removing him from the protest site.
CPM general secretary M.A. Baby accused the government of ignoring democratic norms and allowing the examination system to become a business plagued by corruption. He also demanded accountability from the minister concerned.
Activist Yogendra Yadav alleged that the police action was illegal and accused personnel of screening the operation from public view before taking Wangchuk away.
Support for Wangchuk also came from film personalities, including Hrithik Roshan, Vishal Dadlani and Parvathy Thiruvothu. Roshan backed Wangchuk’s concerns over the trauma faced by students affected by paper leaks.
The Opposition is expected to demand a discussion and government response on the episode when Parliament convenes on Monday.
