Congress Joins Sonam Wangchuk Protest as Political Heat Rises in Delhi

NEW DELHI :Political tensions escalated in the national capital on Tuesday as the ongoing protest in support of activist Sonam Wangchuk entered its 32nd day. At the same time, senior Congress leaders staged a demonstration near the Prime Minister’s residence, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, triggering a heavy police deployment in the high-security zone.

The Congress protest saw the participation of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and several party workers, who raised slogans against the Centre. Police personnel were deployed to prevent the protesters from advancing, as demonstrations are prohibited in the security-sensitive area.

According to party leaders, the protest was organised without prior public announcement. Several Congress workers reportedly tied their hands together as a symbolic gesture while resisting police attempts to disperse the gathering.

Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court directed that Sonam Wangchuk be shifted from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital for further treatment.

“Medanta will constitute a panel of doctors to oversee his treatment,” the court said while hearing a petition filed by Wangchuk’s wife, Geetanjali.

Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike since June 28. He was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on July 18 after police removed him from the Jantar Mantar protest site following court directions.

Thousands of supporters gathered again at Jantar Mantar by Tuesday afternoon despite police action the previous evening. Congress Seva Dal volunteers distributed breakfast to protesters in the morning.

As security forces arrived at the protest venue, supporters raised slogans against the Delhi Police. Despite repeated efforts to disperse the crowd, demonstrators regrouped during the night and continued their agitation.

The parallel protests have intensified the political atmosphere in Delhi, with the opposition seeking to keep public attention focused on Wangchuk’s demands while authorities continue to monitor the law-and-order situation closely.