Rise in rage against the forceful detention of Sonam Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar by Delhi Police

SFI strongly condemns the forceful detention of Sonam Wangchuk by the Delhi Police early in the morning today. Sonam Wangchuk, renowned educator, environmentalist and activist was on a hunger strike unto death for the last 20 days in solidarity with the cockroaches, demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.

On 20th of July, he called for a peaceful demonstration to the parliament. As the mobilisation for the protest was going on, the Delhi Police barged into the protest site in Jantar Mantar, abusing everyone in sight, forcefully taking Sonam Wangchuk on the 21st day of his protest. The mobiles and network in Jantar Mantar were blocked in order to avoid any kind of coverage and communication.

Thousands of students, youth, activists and other stakeholders of public education have been on strike at Jantar Mantar along with Cockroach Janta Party. SFI has been on the site from the beginning onwards, currently engaging the protestors at Kranti Corner with talks, cultural programs and other forms of creative resistance. The Sansad Chalo was received widely by the society and the people have taken a welcoming approach towards the march assuring their participation on the 20th. Amidst a deteriorating health condition, Sonam Wangchuk and others have sternly asserted that the government must listen to their voices, without which they will not move an inch back.

This act by the Delhi Police, evidently under the supervision of the Union Government is nothing less than an instance of heinous brutality committed with the intention of breaking the current movement. The detention of Sonam Wangchuk was close to an attempt to kidnap, where the men in civil clothes forced themselves into the protest site at dawn, after disabling all kinds of communication networks. In strong words, SFI asserts that the movement started by the students will be continued by the students until the justice is ensured and Dharmendra Pradhan gives resignation. Detaining Sonam Wangchuk will not break the movement, rather it will strengthen from the spirit he has displayed throughout these days. The Sansad Chalo March will happen to huge participation.

Released by
Adarsh M. Saji (President, SFI)
Srijan Bhattacharyya (General Secretary, SFI)