Mumbai, July 18 (IANS) The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) on Saturday came down heavily on the central government for allegedly ignoring and defaming climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.
In an editorial published in the party mouthpiece Saamana, it said Wangchuk, along with a student named Neha, has been on a hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for the past 21 days, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the widespread NEET-UG question paper leak scandal.
The editorial strongly defended Wangchuk, saying he had travelled from Ladakh to New Delhi to “save the nation”. It also lashed out at alleged corporate land grabbing in Ladakh, claiming the region’s fragile tribal ecosystem was being destroyed.
“When Wangchuk raised his voice against this institutional looting, he became undesirable to PM Modi. Fighting for one’s rights has effectively become a crime in independent India,” the editorial remarked, adding that Wangchuk’s fight belongs to every citizen.
The Thackeray camp also sharply criticised BJP leaders for allegedly trying to malign Ramon Magsaysay and Padma awardee Sonam Wangchuk. It specifically targeted BJP MP Manoj Tiwari for describing Wangchuk as a member of the “Aam Aadmi gang” and calling him an “obstacle” to India’s growth.
Retorting to Tiwari’s remarks, the editorial criticised his background in Bhojpuri cinema and accused the ruling party of harbouring individuals who justify theft, even drawing parallels to corruption surrounding the Ram Temple funds. It further noted that the BJP had no qualms about aligning with the Aam Aadmi Party during Anna Hazare’s historic anti-corruption movement at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi years ago.
Highlighting the gravity of the NEET paper leak, the editorial pointed out that the scam has driven millions of students into deep depression, resulting in 20 to 25 student suicides.
“In this regime, human life has lost its value. Let students die, let farmers die, let soldiers perish in Pulwama, or tourists in Kashmir—this government remains completely unfazed,” said the editorial.
It added that doctors have expressed extreme concern for the life of Neha, the student fasting alongside Wangchuk, yet the government has shown zero empathy.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena drew a sharp contrast between PM Modi’s international public relations and his domestic apathy. It mocked the Prime Minister for travelling abroad to meet Italian PM Giorgia Meloni with “Melody chocolates” while refusing to walk just a few furlongs from his residence to offer a glass of water to a dying activist.
The Thackeray camp hailed Wangchuk’s invaluable contributions to national security —specifically his invention of solar-powered insulated tents that keep Indian soldiers warm at +15°C even when outside temperatures plummet to -14°C in high-altitude border zones.
Concluding with a stern warning, the editorial stated that the “arrogance and cruelty” currently displayed by the BJP echoes the hubris of historical tyrants like Ravana, Duryodhana, Hitler, Idi Amin, and Aurangzeb.
“History shows that such arrogance eventually turns to dust. The bubbling ego of the BJP over Wangchuk’s hunger strike will meet the same fate,” the editorial commented.
–IANS
sj/snj/skp