BY MOHAMMAD TARIQUE SALEEM
Akhilesh Yadav, the National President of the Samajwadi Party and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, has strongly criticized the alleged forcible removal of social activist Sonam Wangchuk from the site of his indefinite hunger strike. Describing the action as “highly condemnable,” Yadav said the incident quickly became a matter of national and international concern, sparking widespread anxiety over Wangchuk’s well-being and raising questions about the BJP government’s handling of the situation.
He demanded that the identities of the plainclothes personnel involved in the operation be made public and called for Sonam Wangchuk’s medical treatment to be conducted under judicial supervision. According to Yadav, Wangchuk’s contributions to environmental conservation, science, innovation, democratic values, and youth empowerment make his safety and well-being a matter of public importance. He further claimed that the government’s actions have damaged India’s image as a democratic and humanitarian nation in the eyes of the world.
Yadav also accused the BJP of rejecting the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and embracing confrontation instead of dialogue. He alleged that the ruling party attempts to weaken movements that promote unity and harmony but argued that today’s digitally connected youth are capable of driving social and ideological change despite such efforts.
In another statement, the Samajwadi Party leader criticized what he described as false propaganda surrounding Hanumangarhi. He alleged that certain individuals were trying to divert public attention from issues related to the Ram Temple by making misleading claims about the revered religious site. He urged those responsible to admit their mistakes and seek forgiveness, saying that religious symbols should never be used for political gain or to mislead devotees.
Turning to civic issues, Yadav sharply criticized the BJP government over severe waterlogging in Gorakhpur. He questioned how billions of rupees reportedly spent under the Smart City Mission had failed to prevent such conditions. He urged the government to provide immediate relief, including food, drinking water, medicines, essential supplies, and temporary shelters for residents affected by flooding. The former Chief Minister also highlighted the difficulties faced by traders, saying they were already struggling with inflation, unemployment, economic slowdown, and the GST system before suffering additional losses due to flooding.
He demanded fair compensation for all affected businesses and called for an extensive cleanliness drive and preventive health measures to stop the spread of diseases after the floodwaters recede. Yadav sarcastically questioned whether Gorakhpur should now be renamed the “City of Water,” adding that the city’s condition reflected poor urban planning and governance. He expressed confidence that public dissatisfaction over these issues would ultimately be reflected in future elections.
