NEW DELHI: Amid mounting criticism from opposition parties over activist Sonam Wangchuk’s removal from Jantar Mantar, the BJP on Saturday defended the decision to shift him to hospital, saying the move was prompted by concerns over his deteriorating health and was in accordance with directions issued by the Delhi High Court.The ruling party also accused the Opposition of attempting to turn Wangchuk’s hospitalisation into a political issue, questioning whether critics would have preferred his condition to worsen merely to sustain what it termed a “political spectacle”.Wangchuk, who had been on an indefinite hunger strike for 21 days at Jantar Mantar, was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police earlier in the day. Police said the move was made on medical advice and in compliance with court directions.Responding to the development, BJP national spokesperson and former Union minister Shahnawaz Hussain said the Delhi High Court had ordered that Wangchuk’s health be regularly monitored, PTI reported.“He has been admitted to the hospital for a medical examination to monitor his health and ensure that he remains healthy. That is the only reason,” Hussain said.BJP IT department head Amit Malviya also defended the action, saying authorities had acted responsibly while balancing the court’s directions with the need to protect Wangchuk’s health.“Sonam Wangchuk’s preliminary medical report is now in the public domain. Importantly, it records that the medical examination was conducted with his own consent,” Malviya claimed in a post on X while sharing a purported medical report.“So what exactly is the outrage about? Following the Delhi High Court’s directions, the authorities shifted him to a hospital to facilitate his recovery after his health deteriorated during the fast,” he added.Taking aim at opposition leaders, Malviya asked, “Would the opposition have preferred that his condition worsen merely to sustain a political spectacle?”“Ensuring timely medical care in a situation like this is the responsible course of action, not a matter for manufactured controversy,” he said.The BJP’s response came after several opposition leaders, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, criticised the Centre over Wangchuk’s removal from the protest site.(With PTI inputs)
