'BJP doesn't care about citizens' lives': Uddhav Thackeray slams Centre over Wangchuk's removal

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. File Pic

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday condemned the Union government for removing activist Sonam Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site, where the latter was on a hunger strike for the past 21 days.

The government does not value the life of citizens, Thackeray said while urging the Centre to talk to the protesting youth.

Wangchuk was shifted to the Safdarjung Hospital in the national capital early Saturday as his health deteriorated on the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, with the police citing medical advice and directions of the Delhi High Court.

Speaking to reporters at the airport here, Thackeray said, "It is shameful how Wangchuk was removed from Jantar Mantar. Wangchuk is on the verge of sacrificing is life and several youth are on hunger strike but the BJP government does not care about the lives of citizens or the youth."

The government, which cannot conduct exams like NEET properly, must say how many youths have to sacrifice their lives before Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns, Thackeray said.

On the police citing medical advice and directions of the Delhi High Court to remove Wangchuk, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said police should show these orders.

Wangchuk and three activists from AISA have been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 in support of the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and the reported deaths of students linked to the controversy.

The CJP has been holding a protest for over 25 days demanding Pradhan's resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.

Thackeray arrived in Nagpur this afternoon to take part in his party's 'Ram Raksha' programme to protest the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

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