New Delhi [India], July 18 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday lashed out at the Centre over the police action against climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) supporters, stating that "arrogance is not right" and the government should have engaged in dialogue instead of using force.
The former Delhi Chief Minister criticised the Modi government's approach, suggesting that the focus should be on systemic reforms rather than suppressing dissent.
"Such arrogance is not right. Instead of forcibly lifting them up, the Modi government should have talked to Sonam Wangchuk. Instead of crushing the movement, reform the country's education and examination system," Kejriwal posted on X.
"Coercion against Sonam Wangchuk is Modi govt's defeat," he added.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and Saurabh Bharadwaj also criticised the Delhi Police action at Jantar Mantar after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was taken away to a hospital, with several Opposition leaders alleging suppression of peaceful protest.
In a post shared on X, Sisodia alleged that the Centre was trying to silence those raising their voice over paper leaks.
"So, this is the solution Modi ji has given for paper leaks. Beat up with goons whoever raises their voice against paper leaks and don't let them raise their voice at all. This isn't politics, it's cowardice. What a reign of thugs," Sisodia wrote.
Sanjay Singh also criticised the action, claiming Wangchuk had been forcibly taken away despite being on a prolonged fast.
"What kind of thuggery is this going on? Modi ji, this arrogance of power doesn't last long. The very youth you're beating with batons will uproot your throne. One person @Wangchuk66 who has been on a fast unto death for the past 21 days, instead of listening to his demands, was forcibly arrested and admitted to the hospital." Singh posted on X.
Furthermore, Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that police personnel entered the protest site in plain clothes.
"Shamelessness at Jantar Mantar. Goons of Modi Govt. Delhi Police dressed up in civil dress and sports shoes forcefully entering the protest site. They brought dozens of white bed-sheets to block camera views so that any violence/man-handling with Sonam Wangchuk & others is not video recorded. This is how shameless Modi Govt is," Bharadwaj said in a post on X.
The reactions came after Wangchuk was taken to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday morning. According to the sources, the climate activist is conscious, his vital parameters are stable, and he has been admitted to the emergency ward under medical supervision.
A heavy deployment of police personnel was seen at the site as protesters were asked to vacate the area.