Condemn the Forcible Removal of Sonam Wangchuk and Fellow Protesters
Stop Suppressing Peaceful Democratic Protests

I strongly condemn the Modi Government’s forcible removal of Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar, effectively crushing the peaceful protest he had sustained through a 21-day indefinite hunger strike in support of the movement against alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Instead of engaging with the legitimate demands raised by Sonam Wangchuk and the protest committee, the government chose to use the court’s directions as a pretext to suppress a peaceful and democratic expression of dissent. A government committed to democratic values should respond to public grievances through dialogue, not by silencing peaceful protests. I urge the Union Government to immediately address the demands raised by Sonam Wangchuk and the protest committee through meaningful engagement and ensure a just, transparent, and democratic resolution.

Mohammed Shafi
National Vice President
Social Democratic Party of India