Left parties condemn Wangchuk's removal, use of force; back ongoing protest
Left-wing political parties have condemned the Delhi Police's removal of activist Sonam Wangchuk from his hunger strike site at Jantar Mantar. The parties are calling for government accountability regarding education system issues and supporting the ongoing student-led protests.
Why it matters
This reflects the ongoing friction between civil society activists and the central government regarding democratic dissent and public policy.
Left parties on Saturday (July 18, 2026) condemned the police action against activist Sonam Wangchuk and protesters at Jantar Mantar, and accused the Centre of suppressing democratic dissent instead of addressing the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, while extending support to the continuing student-led agitation.
Their comments came after educator and climate activist Mr. Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for 21 days, was forcibly removed from Jantar Mantar earlier in the day by the Delhi Police and whisked away to Safdarjung Hospital.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation said the protest would continue despite Mr. Wangchuk's removal from the protest site, with three members of its student wing AISA — Neha, Manish and Aameen — continuing their indefinite hunger strike. The party also appealed to people to join the July 20 Parliament march.
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