Rahul Gandhi condemns Sonam Wangchuk’s removal, accuses BJP of ‘Asatya and Hinsa’ politics

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday criticised the removal of climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site, calling the action "wrong" and accusing the BJP-led government of following a path of "asatya (falsehood) and hinsa (violence)."

His remarks marked his first public response after Wangchuk was shifted to a hospital while observing an indefinite hunger strike.

In a post on social media, Gandhi said peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right and alleged that silencing voices through force weakens democratic values. Wangchuk, who had been fasting for more than 20 days, was removed from the protest site by Delhi Police following medical advice and concerns over his deteriorating health. Authorities later asked other demonstrators to vacate the area to maintain public order.

The incident has triggered political reactions, with several opposition leaders questioning the government's handling of the protest. Police have maintained that the decision to move Wangchuk to a hospital was taken to ensure his health and safety after medical experts warned of potential complications.