Protest held in Assam’s Margherita against alleged dragging of Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar protest site

Left-wing organisations held a protest demonstration in Margherita on July 19 condemning the alleged forcible removal of noted scientist, educationist and environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk from his hunger strike protest site at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

 

The protest was organised jointly by the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) Tinsukia District Council and the All India Youth Federation (AIYF) Tinsukia District Committee at Borgolai along National Highway 315 in Margherita. Members of the All India Students’ Federation (AISF) also participated in the programme.

 

The organisations strongly criticised the government’s alleged attempt to suppress Wangchuk’s ongoing hunger strike, which is reportedly linked to his demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. They described the alleged action of dragging Wangchuk away from the protest site as “cowardly” and “undemocratic.”

 

Addressing the gathering, AIKS Assam State Secretary Sanjeev Gangooly expressed strong resentment against the Central Government and accused both the Central and State Governments of attempting to curb democratic movements through fear and intimidation instead of respecting citizens’ right to protest.

 

Gangooly said the protest was aimed at conveying solidarity with Sonam Wangchuk and supporting his demands. He also appealed to political parties and organisations across ideological lines to participate in a larger protest programme scheduled to be held in Delhi on July 20.

 

The demonstration at Borgolai was conducted peacefully, with protesters raising slogans in support of democratic rights and expressing solidarity with Wangchuk.