Shiv Sena (UBT) attacks Centre over Sonam Wangchuk's 'ignored' hunger strike

Shiv Sena UBT on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Centre accusing it of ignoring climate activist Sonam Wangchuks 21day hunger strike and showing indifference to the concerns of students protesting alleged irregularities in the NEETUG examinationIn an editorial published in the party mouthpiece Saamana the Uddhav Thackerayled party alleged that the Narendra Modi government had failed to engage with Wangchuk despite his prolonged protest and criticised attempts to discredit the activistSaamana editorial backs Wangchuks protestThe editorial said Wangchuk along with a student identified as Neha had been on a hunger strike at Delhis Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEETUG paper leakAccording to the editorial Wangchuk had travelled from Ladakh to the national capital to raise issues concerning students and the countryThe party also alleged that corporate interests were threatening Ladakhs fragile ecosystem and claimed Wangchuk had been targeted for speaking out against the issueWhen Wangchuk raised his voice against this institutional looting he became undesirable to PM Modi Fighting for ones rights has effectively become a crime in independent India the editorial statedBJP leaders accused of targeting WangchukThe editorial criticised BJP leaders for allegedly attempting to tarnish the image of Ramon Magsaysay Award and Padma award recipient Sonam WangchukIt specifically referred to BJP MP Manoj Tiwaris reported remarks describing Wangchuk as part of the Aam Aadmi gang and an obstacle to the countrys developmentResponding to those comments the editorial accused the BJP of hypocrisy recalling that several BJP leaders had supported the anticorruption movement led by Anna Hazare at Delhis Ramlila MaidanEditorial raises concerns over NEETUG controversyThe Shiv Sena UBT claimed the alleged NEETUG paper leak had affected millions of students across the country and criticised the governments handling of the issueIt alleged that the controversy had pushed many students into distress and questioned the Centres response to their concernsThe editorial also expressed concern over the health of Neha the student participating in the hunger strike alongside Wangchuk alleging that the government had failed to respond despite warnings from doctorsCriticism of Prime Minister ModiThe editorial drew a contrast between Prime Minister Narendra Modis foreign engagements and his response to Wangchuks protestIt criticised the Prime Minister for not meeting the activist despite the prolonged hunger strike and alleged that the government had shown little empathy towards the protestersThe party also highlighted Wangchuks contribution to national security referring to his work in developing solarpowered insulated tents designed to help Indian soldiers operate in highaltitude border regionsEditorial ends with warning to BJPConcluding the editorial Shiv Sena UBT alleged that the BJPs handling of Wangchuks protest reflected political arroganceDrawing parallels with historical rulers the editorial claimed that excessive arrogance ultimately leads to downfallHistory shows that such arrogance eventually turns to dust The bubbling ego of the BJP over Wangchuks hunger strike will meet the same fate the editorial commentedWith inputs from IANS