Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut on Saturday, 18 July launched a sharp attack on the Central Government, alleging that the police action against climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk was deliberately timed to divert public attention from the party's 'Ram Raksha' protest in Nagpur. Raut labelled the move an act of authoritarianism and accused the government of using law enforcement as a political instrument.

Raut's Core Allegation

Raut alleged that Delhi Police's early-morning action against Wangchuk — who had been on a 21-day hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy — was strategically timed to overshadow the Shiv Sena (UBT) mass agitation in Nagpur. The protest, led by former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, was held against alleged corruption linked to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

'This is pure tyranny. The government failed to resolve the core issues for which Sonam Wangchuk was fasting for 21 days,' Raut told reporters. He added that Wangchuk, who was 'ready to sacrifice his life for the future of millions of students in India,' was forcibly detained and hospitalised, which he said exposed what he called the country's slide toward authoritarianism.

The Wangchuk Hunger Strike: Background

Wangchuk, widely known as an innovator, environmentalist, and the real-life inspiration behind the character in the film 3 Idiots, had been fasting to press demands related to the NEET-UG examination irregularities — widely described as one of the most serious education scandals in recent Indian history, affecting lakhs of students across the country. His key demand was the resignation of the Union Education Minister. The government, according to opposition leaders, maintained silence throughout the fast before police intervened.

'If the government truly valued Wangchuk's life, they would have addressed his demands weeks ago when the hunger strike began. Instead, they maintained absolute silence,' Raut said.

The Nagpur Protest and Thackeray's Arrival

Raut confirmed that the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s plans for the Nagpur agitation remained unchanged despite the developments. He stated that Uddhav Thackeray had already departed for the venue, was scheduled to arrive in Nagpur by 12:00 PM, and was set to lead the protest at Ramnagar Ram Mandir at 4:00 PM. Raut described the protest as an 'Elgar' — a call to mobilise — against what the party characterised as the looting of funds associated with the Ram Mandir.

NCP(SP)'s Supriya Sule Also Weighs In

A day earlier, on Friday, National Congress Party (SP) MP and Baramati legislator Supriya Sule visited Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to express solidarity with Wangchuk and activist Abhijit Dipke. She described the Central Government as 'highly insensitive' for ignoring the protest and urged Wangchuk to end his fast on health grounds, while acknowledging his resolve to continue until his demands were met.

'The irregularities in the NEET exam are not isolated incidents; it is a grave injustice perpetrated against lakhs of innocent children across the entire country,' Sule said. She noted that her decision to visit Wangchuk received strong backing from citizens in her constituency.

What Comes Next

With Wangchuk reportedly hospitalised and the opposition intensifying pressure over both the NEET controversy and the Ram Mandir corruption allegations, the political temperature in Maharashtra and at the Centre is likely to remain elevated. Whether the government moves to address opposition demands — or holds its position — will shape the next phase of this standoff.