New Delhi, July 24
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Centre over the termination of activist Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike, alleging that the fast was forcibly ended at midnight without addressing the movement's primary demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Speaking to reporters, Raut asserted that the nation would have been far more reassured had Wangchuk broken his fast publicly at Jantar Mantar surrounded by supporters, rather than in the presence of government officials.
Raut questioned the presence of Union Ministers at the site while excluding opposition leaders and key protest organisers. "Two ministers from the very government against which the hunger strike was staged came and ended the fast. For an agitation supported by all anti-dictatorship parties and organisations, an opposition representative should have been present -- at least organiser Abhijeet Dipke or Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi," he said.
Highlighting the core objective of the 26-day fast, Raut demanded clarity from the government regarding which conditions were actually accepted. "There is still complete confusion regarding what demands were met. The primary demand was the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The pledge was that the fast would not end until he stepped down. What happened to that demand? The government must explain to the nation why Pradhan is being protected," he noted.
Warning that the movement sparked by Wangchuk would not fade away, Raut announced a series of joint political and public actions. He said that Shiv Sena(UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray are leading a joint 'Rashtragan' (National Anthem) protest in Mumbai today. Further, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray have organised a joint mega-rally (virat morcha) in Mumbai on Sunday, July 26, alongside protests across various states.
Commenting on the timing and circumstances under which the fast was ended, Raut accused the ruling leadership of acting out of fear. "The fast was broken at midnight when no representatives from the movement were present, and the opposition was not taken into confidence. When protests were escalating, the administration maligned Wangchuk by calling him a 'Chinese agent' and physically dragged him away from the venue. The decision to call off the fast should have rested with the injured activists or the lakhs of protesters -- not the government seeking photo-ops and credit. Amit Shah and Narendra Modi were terrified. Prime Minister Modi usually addresses the nation at 8:00 p.m., but yesterday he took to social media at midnight," he said.
Dismissing government claims regarding opposition hesitation to hold debates, Raut countered, "The Chief Minister (Devendra Fadnavis) claims we fear discussions? When did this government ever allow discussions -- whether on Pulwama or farmer suicides? We demanded a parliamentary debate on day one, and the government fled from it."
Raut said that while the fast at Jantar Mantar may have been called off, the broader nationwide movement against educational governance and central authority will continue to escalate.
