New Delhi [India], July 18 : Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary MA Baby on Saturday condemned the Delhi Police action against climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke.
In a post on X, MA Baby alleged that the government was using "a heavy hand" against protesters instead of taking action against those responsible for alleged irregularities in the education system.
"Strongly condemn the detention of Sonam Wangchuk and Abhijeet Dipke by the Delhi Police. Instead of sacking the Education Minister under whose nose the scandalous leak of papers happened and dismantling the system that continues to ruin the future of lakhs of students, the government is coming down with a heavy hand on peaceful protesters," he said.
He further alleged that the action reflected an "authoritarian attitude" and said that "silencing dissent cannot be a substitute for accountability."
He stated, "This displays the authoritarian attitude of the Modi government. Silencing dissent cannot be a substitute for accountability."
Meanwhile, Azad Samaj Party chief and MP Chandrashekhar Azad also criticised the police action, calling it a "direct assault on democratic values."
In a statement, Azad alleged that Wangchuk, who had been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar for 21 days, was forcibly shifted to a hospital by police personnel and claimed that his associates were assaulted and detained.
"Democracy is once again disgraced! The forcible removal of Shri Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a peaceful indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in Delhi for the past 21 days, to the hospital by police officers arriving in plain clothes, along with the assault on and detention of his companions, is utterly reprehensible and a direct assault on democratic values," Azad said.
He also compared the incident with previous protests, including the agitation by ex-servicemen over One Rank One Pension and the wrestlers' protest, alleging that peaceful movements had been similarly dealt with in the past.
"Previously, the same thing happened to ex-servicemen who sat on a dharna for months demanding One Rank One Pension. The peaceful movement of women wrestlers, who bring pride to the nation, was also forcibly dispersed in the same manner. Now, the same treatment is being meted out to Shri Sonam Wangchuk's satyagraha. Has the right to peaceful protest now been limited only to the convenience of those in power?" his post on X reads.
Praying for the health and strength of Wangchuk, he said, "We pray to nature to grant Shri Sonam Wangchuk excellent health, strength, and long life."
Wangchuk was taken to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday morning following a prolonged hunger strike.
The hospital said Wangchuk was admitted for required healthcare and was weak due to prolonged fasting and dehydration.
"Mr Sonam Wangchuck has been admitted to Safdarjung Hospital for required health care. He is weak due to prolonged fasting and dehydration. Although he is currently stable, he requires continuous observation, monitoring and treatment to restore his body parameters," the hospital said.
Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged nationwide examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak controversy.
The police said Wangchuk was shifted to the hospital in compliance with the Delhi High Court's directions and on medical advice due to his deteriorating health. Delhi Police officials said he was under medical supervision and that maximum restraint was exercised during the situation.
The development has drawn criticism from several Opposition leaders, including AAP, Samajwadi Party, Congress, and Trinamool Congress. Members of the left student unions also joined the protest organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced that he would continue an indefinite hunger strike and said the movement would continue despite the action against Wangchuk.