Social activist Sonam Wangchuk has issued a significant warning to the government through a video message regarding the ongoing protests in Delhi, while expressing his deep concern over the current situation, Wangchuk stated that it feels as though an undeclared emergency has been imposed upon the country. This statement comes in the wake of large-scale demonstrations at Jantar Mantar and other locations in the national capital, where numerous individuals have been taken into custody by the authorities. Wangchuk, known for his activism in Ladakh, posted this video specifically in response to the events unfolding at Jantar Mantar, highlighting what he perceives as a suppression of democratic rights.
The Warning and the 24-Hour Ultimatum
In his video address, Sonam Wangchuk highlighted the gravity of the situation by pointing out the arrests of various individuals across different sectors of society. He mentioned that upon his return, he learned about the detention of student leaders, youth leaders, lawyers, journalists, and even Members of Parliament, while wangchuk recalled his previous message where he had urged for peace and unity during the protests, believing that in the world's largest democracy, peaceful demonstrations would be permitted. However, the recent turn of events has led him to condemn the government's actions strongly, describing the atmosphere as one of an undeclared emergency.
Wangchuk has set a clear deadline for the government, requesting that all arrests be ended and the issues be resolved by this evening. He warned that if the arrests aren't revoked within the next 24 hours, he would be forced to consider a peaceful protest himself. This protest could take the form of a sit-in, a hunger strike, or a foot march (padayatra). He further specified that this action could take place either in Leh or in Delhi, while he expressed hope that the government would resolve the matters through dialogue before such steps became necessary, ending his message with the patriotic salute, Jai Hind.
Protests Against SIR and Gyanesh Kumar
The protests in Delhi were primarily directed against SIR and included a demand for the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar. During these demonstrations, supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) were detained at various locations across Delhi. The police action wasn't limited to the protest sites; CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka, and Saurabh Das were reportedly detained directly from their flight at the Delhi airport. This move by the authorities has added to the tension surrounding the protests.
According to information provided by officials, the Delhi Police detained more than 7000 people during the anti-CEC protests organized by the CJP. The police were seen actively chasing and detaining protesters throughout the city. Reports also indicated that during these events, protesters from right-wing and left-wing factions clashed with each other, further complicating the security situation. The scale of the detention was massive, reflecting the intensity of the unrest surrounding the demand for Gyanesh Kumar's resignation and the opposition to the CEC. Notable figures like Mamata Banerjee were also mentioned in the context of those detained during the protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, indicating the broad political spectrum involved in the demonstrations.