In a shocking turn of events, activist Sonam Wangchuk was removed from Jantar Mantar on Sunday by Delhi Police amid his hunger strike in solidarity with the ongoing students’ protest. Visuals showed him being taken away from the site under heavy security. Delhi Police later confirmed that the action was taken as per the High Court’s orders and based on expert medical advice due to his deteriorating health condition. He has reportedly been shifted to the emergency department of Safdarjung Hospital. The alleged forcible removal of the activist has sparked massive outrage online, with several Bollywood celebrities also reacting to the incident.
Sonakshi Sinha, Prakash Raj, Others Voice Outrage
Sonakshi, who has been vocal in her support for Wangchuk amid the students’ protest, did not comment on the latest development. However, she reposted a video of a female protester speaking about Wangchuk’s alleged forced detention.
The update left Prakash Raj fuming. The veteran actor, who had visited Jantar Mantar to meet Wangchuk and extend his support, shared a scathing note criticising the government.
Sharing a video from the protest site, he wrote, “World is witnessing a coward government who don’t want to engage in a dialogue with the youth but want to behave like dictators. Forcibly taking away @wangchuksworld and disrupting Students peaceful protest is a sign of fear. What a shame!”
Aamir Khan‘s niece Zayn Marie also reacted to Wangchuk being taken away by the authorities. Expressing outrage, she wrote, “This is beyond your personal politics. This is an insult to our great nation. The government, the police work FOR, they do not own this country or us.”
Meanwhile, Vishal Dadlani said he was furious. “Dekhi hain kabhi aapne aisi kayarta? Sonam ji ko forcefully utha ke le gaye hain. Iss desh ka jo yeh log kar rahe hain, this is… It breaks my heart. Mere desh walon, kab jaagoge? Ab nahi jaagoge toh kab jaagoge? I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what to think. I just wish I was there to help him some way. Bheja fatt raha hain mera gusse se is waqt,” said the singer in a clip.
(Translation: Have you ever seen such cowardice? Sonam ji has been forcefully taken away. What these people are doing to this country is… it breaks my heart. My fellow citizens, when will you wake up? If you don’t wake up now, then when will you? I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what to think. I just wish I was there to help him in some way. My head is exploding with anger right now.)
Actress Nafisa Ali shared Jawaharlal Nehru’s iconic “Tryst with Destiny” speech and wrote, “Today too India has a tryst dedicated to India.” In another post, she added, “Praying for Mr Sonum Wangchuk. You are invincible. India needs you.”
Ranvir Shorey was among the others who reacted to Sonam Wangchuk being taken away from Jantar Mantar on Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police stated, “While complying with the orders of Hon’ble High Court, the protestors tried to create obstruction, in which slight commotion ensued, however, police took maximum restrain and undertook the exercise safely.”
They have requested the protestors at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest.