Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to a hospital from his protest site at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, in the early hours of Saturday, 18 July, after his health deteriorated following a 20-day hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak controversy. The hospitalisation, carried out in compliance with a Delhi High Court direction and on medical advice, triggered a sharp political confrontation between the Opposition and the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Opposition Calls It an Attack on Democracy

Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi described the development as deeply troubling. 'This is very sad. It is an attempt to crush democracy. Anyone can protest peacefully in this country. Instead of speaking to a person who was fasting for so many days, the government chose to drag him away,' he said.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray called it 'one of the darkest days in the history of Indian politics,' adding: 'I have never seen democracy dying before my eyes like this. Such a great person, an educationist, a scientist, who has worked for farmers, who has worked for students, who has worked for our Indian Army — he has been on a hunger strike for 20 days, forget [Pradhan's] resignation, no one from the Central government came to have a dialogue with him.'

Congress leader Sachin Pilot said the government's first obligation should have been dialogue. 'Instead, they failed to fulfil them. His demands were not unreasonable. The entire country wants reforms in our education and examination system because public confidence in it has eroded… this reflects that the government is in no mood to listen to the demands, but the frustration of the youths will not end,' Pilot told reporters.

Rajasthan Assembly Leader of Opposition and Congress MLA Tika Ram Jully alleged that no minister, party office-bearer, or government official approached Wangchuk for talks. 'The government, feeling pressured, acted in an undemocratic and authoritarian manner by removing him from the protest site. Those participating in the sit-in were also assaulted. This is condemnable,' he said.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saugata Ray termed the move 'unfortunate,' while noting that action taken pursuant to a High Court order limits the scope for criticism. He added that his party supports the demand for the Education Minister's resignation. Political activist Yogendra Yadav described the Delhi Police action as 'shameful, cowardly, and illegal.'

NDA Defends the Action

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Dinesh Sharma hit back at the Opposition, saying: 'Some people's work is to spread instability, chaos, and create divisions among people so that national sentiment does not emerge, and they spread rumours on other issues. Whatever the Honourable Court orders, it is the duty of every government to comply with it.'

Janata Dal (United) leader Neeraj Kumar acknowledged the right to dissent in a democracy but argued that expressing it through physical suffering is not appropriate, even when the underlying demand is legally valid. 'It is also the government's responsibility to be sympathetic in such situations,' he said, maintaining that hospitalising Wangchuk was medically necessary.

Background: The NEET Controversy and the Hunger Strike

Wangchuk, widely known for his work on sustainable technology and education in Ladakh, launched his hunger strike to press for accountability over the NEET-UG paper leak that shook India's medical entrance examination system. His 20-day fast drew growing public attention, with supporters gathering at Jantar Mantar and solidarity protests reported from multiple cities. The Centre had not publicly engaged with his demands before the hospitalisation.

What Happens Next

Wangchuk's medical condition and the political fallout are expected to keep the NEET controversy at the centre of parliamentary and public debate. Opposition parties have signalled they will continue pressing for Pradhan's resignation, while the government's position — anchored on the court's direction — leaves little room for immediate concession. Whether dialogue between the two sides materialises remains to be seen.