ഡൽഹിയിൽ വിവിധ രാഷ്ട്രീയ നേതാക്കളെയും പ്രവർത്തകരെയും കസ്റ്റഡിയിലെടുത്ത നടപടിയെ പരിസ്ഥിതി പ്രവർത്തകൻ സോനം വാങ്ചുക് അപലപിച്ചു. ഇത് അപ്രഖ്യാപിത അടിയന്തരാവസ്ഥയാണെന്ന് അദ്ദേഹം വിമർശിച്ചു. തടവിലാക്കപ്പെട്ടവരെ ഉടൻ വിട്ടയച്ചില്ലെങ്കിൽ താൻ വീണ്ടും നിരാഹാര സമരത്തിലേക്ക് നീങ്ങുമെന്ന് വാങ്ചുക് മുന്നറിയിപ്പ് നൽകി.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Saturday condemned the detention of student leaders and activists in New Delhi, calling the situation "a state of undeclared emergency" and warning of another fast unless the detenus are released.
Several political leaders and protesters -- including Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan, Neha Bora, Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan -- were detained in the national capital ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's proposed protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Wangchuk had expressed his inability to join the protests in Delhi on Friday. "Adapting Faiz Sahab's words I would say... Aur Bhi Gham Hain Zamaane Main Siyasat Ke Siva... Rahaten aur bhi hain wasl ki raahat ke siva (There are sorrows in the world other than politics and governance, and comforts other than the joy of union with a beloved)," he wrote on Friday, adding, "Hence, I send my best wishes to all and urge the leaders of different groups to stay united and show statesmanship. Meanwhile, I urge all the Gen Z friends to once again stay absolutely peaceful at all costs. This was the gift of Baapu that I tried to bring to Jantar Mantar in June; I hope we won't let Baapu down."
Condemning Saturday's detentions, Wangchuk said he hoped the government would resolve the issues through dialogue. "I had never imagined that the biggest democracy in the world would be under an undeclared Emergency. I was happy there were so many leaders to lead the movement, but I now learn that they have all been arrested. I hope those arrested will be released soon. I will be compelled to consider an Anshan Fast or Padyatra March if they are not released by tomorrow".
Wangchuk was at the forefront of the June protests at Jantar Mantar, where he went on a fast demanding the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy. His fast drew support from students, activists and opposition leaders, bringing wider attention to the agitation.
On July 18, authorities took Wangchuk to hospital, citing health concerns, on the 21st day of his fast. The move came ahead of a planned march to Parliament on July 20. Pradhan resigned on July 25, after weeks of protests and mounting pressure over the examination controversy.