Omar condemns action against student protestors
Farooq seeks Wangchuk’s release from hospital
New Delhi: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday condemned the police action against students protesting in Delhi over the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, while National Conference president Farooq Abdullah called for the release of Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk from hospital.
The two leaders made the remarks near Jantar Mantar after being stopped from holding a protest demanding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Expressing solidarity with the students, Omar alleged that tear gas had been used against those seeking justice over the conduct of the NEET examination.
“These young people gathered here, boys and girls, from all over the country. They are seeking justice regarding the irregularities in the NEET exam, the harassment students faced during the test, and the stress and anxiety they endured. They want someone to be held accountable for this,” he said. “Yet, it is deeply regrettable that tear gas was used against them so ruthlessly today,” he added.
Abdullah also alleged that his party members were not allowed to protest peacefully in the national capital.
“We came to the capital of our country to demand our rights. Unfortunately, even here, we are not permitted to protest peacefully. Democracy is being strangled,” he said.
Farooq said the government should pay attention to the concerns raised by the students.
“No one from the government understands that these children will be the owners of the country in future. They are fighting for their rights. We are standing with them for their rights. The government should look towards the demands of the students,” he said.
The National Conference president also raised the Ladakh special status issue and urged the government to ensure the release of activist Sonam Wangchuk from the hospital.
“The matter of Ladakh should also be looked into. Sonam Wangchuk should be released from the hospital. He is asking for the rights of Ladakh. It is part of India surrounded by China and Pakistan. He wants to bring peace in Ladakh. Is that a bad thing?” Farooq said.
The National Conference leaders had come to Delhi to press for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
The National Conference’s protest coincided with the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) Parliament march on the opening day of the Monsoon session of Parliament, which saw thousands of protesters demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, reforms in the education system, and action against those responsible for the alleged lapses.
Wangchuk was forcefully taken away by Delhi Police from the Jantar Mantar protest site on July 18 and admitted to the Safdarjung Hospital on the 21st day of his hunger strike. He has been fasting since June 28 in support of the CJP’s demands.
