Congress leader Pawan Khera on Friday accused the BJP-led Central government of showing indifference towards climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, whose indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar entered its 20th day amid growing concerns over his health.
Khera visited the protest site and met Wangchuk and members of the Cockroach Janta Party, who are demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in national-level examinations and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He appealed to Wangchuk not to endanger his life and urged the government to immediately begin talks with the protesters.
Comparing the Centre’s response with that of earlier Congress governments, Khera said former prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Manmohan Singh had engaged with people who organised protests or hunger strikes. He argued that dialogue with dissenting citizens was an essential responsibility of any democratic government.
“Governments led by Indira Gandhi and Manmohan Singh spoke to protesters. The present government has chosen indifference,” Khera said, while accusing the Centre of failing to follow “Raj Dharma”, or the basic duty of those in power to listen to citizens and address their grievances.
Khera said the government did not necessarily have to accept every demand raised at a protest, but it should at least send a representative and begin a discussion. He added that remaining silent while a protester’s health deteriorated reflected an absence of compassion and democratic responsibility.
Wangchuk began his indefinite fast on June 28 in solidarity with the youth-led movement. Reports suggest that he has lost nearly nine kilograms during the hunger strike and has remained under continuous medical supervision. Doctors have described him as extremely weak, although he has reportedly remained determined to continue the protest.
Several opposition leaders, activists, lawyers and public figures have expressed concern over Wangchuk’s condition and appealed to the government to engage with him. The Supreme Court Bar Association has also urged him to end the fast while expressing regret over what it described as an inadequate institutional response.
Khera’s visit came as political pressure on the Centre continued to increase. He said risking a life might not produce results and appealed to Wangchuk to protect his health, assuring him that the Congress would continue raising the protesters’ concerns.
The government had not issued a detailed response to Khera’s allegations at the time of reporting.
