1 hr ago
Wangchuk Threatens Fast or March Over Delhi Detentions
Sonam Wangchuk says many people were detained in New Delhi.
They had been expected to join a protest about alleged problems with voter lists.
Wangchuk called the crackdown an “undeclared emergency.”
He had earlier asked demonstrators to stay peaceful.
He said the detainees should be released and the arrests should stop.
He gave the government 24 hours to act.
If that does not happen, he may fast or lead a march in Leh or Delhi.
He says he hopes the government will choose dialogue instead.
Sonam Wangchuk called the police crackdown in New Delhi an “undeclared emergency.”
He said leaders and activists expected at a protest over alleged electoral-roll irregularities had been detained.
The protest was against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Wangchuk gave authorities 24 hours to release detainees and end the arrests.
If they are not released by Sunday, he said he may begin a hunger strike or lead a foot march in Leh or Delhi.
- Who
- Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, detainees including student and youth leaders, lawyers, journalists and Members of Parliament, and the government.
- What
- Wangchuk condemned detentions linked to a protest and threatened a hunger strike or foot march if detainees are not released.
- Where
- The protest and detentions were in New Delhi; Wangchuk said a possible protest could be in Leh or Delhi.
- When
- Saturday; he set a 24-hour deadline, with release by Sunday.
- Why
- The protest was triggered by allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Key facts
- Person issuing warning
- Sonam Wangchuk
- Deadline
- Within 24 hours; Wangchuk said detainees should be released by Sunday.
- Protest location
- New Delhi
- Possible actions
- A hunger strike, dharna or padyatra in Leh or Delhi
- Issue prompting protest
- Alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- Official named
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
Quotes
Sonam Wangchuk
Climate activist who criticized the detentions and threatened protest action.
“After returning here (Leh) a short while ago, I came to know that a large number of arrests have been made in Delhi — of student leaders, youth leaders, lawyers, journalists, and even Members of Parliament. Yesterday, when I appealed to all of you to maintain peace and unity during today’s protests, I genuinely believed that permission for a peaceful demonstration would surely be granted in the world’s largest democracy. But it now appears that an undeclared emergency has been imposed across the”
deccanchronicle.com
“I was happy there were so many leaders to lead the movement, but I now learn that they have all been arrested.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
Related news
Wangchuk Warns of Protest if Delhi Detainees Remain Held
Delhi Protest Detentions Prompt Wangchuk’s Fast and March Warning
Wangchuk Condemns Delhi Arrests, Warns of Possible Hunger Strike
INDIA Bloc Plans Monday Protest Over Election Roll Revision
Wangchuk Backs Electoral Accountability, Demands Answers on Ladakh Violence
Aaditya Thackeray Slams Centre Over Detentions at Delhi Protest
Rajnath Singh Says Dissent Is Democratic, Anarchy Is Not
UN Urges India to Release Protesters Detained in Delhi, Mumbai
UN Urges India to Release Protesters Detained in Delhi Crackdown
Supreme Court to Hear Metro Closure and Protest Detention Petitions
