Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Union government, threatening to begin an indefinite hunger strike and organise a massive foot march if political leaders and youth activists detained in Delhi are not released by the following morning.
Delhi remains under heightened security following a major police crackdown on protesters associated with the “Jantar Mantar 2.0” demonstration. The action has reportedly led to thousands of detentions, including opposition leaders Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal.
Wangchuk strongly criticised the authorities’ response, arguing that the detention of protesters raises serious concerns about the right to peaceful demonstration and democratic expression.
“Suppressing peaceful, democratic voices is a direct assault on the Constitution,” Wangchuk said, according to the report. He warned that he would begin an indefinite hunger strike if the detained leaders and young activists were not released unconditionally by the following morning.
The activist, who recently led a month-long march from Ladakh demanding constitutional safeguards, called for the release of those detained and condemned what he described as an excessive response to peaceful protest.
His warning could mark a further escalation in the ongoing agitation, with the possibility of a hunger strike and a large-scale foot march if the government fails to meet his demand.
Further developments are awaited as tensions continue over the detentions and restrictions imposed in the national capital.