Sonam Wangchuk hunger strike LIVE: Police hospitalise Wangchuk; CJP’s Dipke begins indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar

NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Saturday (July 18, 2026) slammed the Centre for its “irresponsible” handling of activist Sonam Wangchuk’s agitation, claiming the government remained a bystander rather than addressing the genuine demands of students.

Speaking to reporters in Baramati, Pawar asserted that while the government moved to hospitalise Mr. Wangchuk as the situation became “uncontrollable”, the protest would continue regardless of the action against the activist.

“The Centre didn’t handle the situation carefully, and it impacted the future of several students. The government remained a bystander as other political parties came to support him (Wangchuk). Leaders from Congress, NCP (SP), including Supriya Sule and many others, paid a visit there (Jantar Mantar) and raised a common demand,” Mr. Pawar said.

– PTI