The Congress’s recent protest near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence has been described as insincere by Gitanjali Angmo, the wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk. She made her remarks following the detention of Rahul Gandhi and other senior party leaders during the demonstration on July 21. Angmo, who is actively involved in Wangchuk’s campaign against paper leaks, argued that the Congress leaders should have aligned themselves with the students protesting at Jantar Mantar instead.

In an interview with India Today, Angmo expressed her belief that the actions of the Congress were more about exploiting her husband’s reputation than genuinely supporting the students. “The public cannot be fooled anymore,” she stated, highlighting a growing awareness among citizens regarding political motivations.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was removed from the Jantar Mantar protest site the previous week, has continued his hunger strike from a hospital bed, marking the 26th day of his fast on Thursday.

Congress Shifts Focus to Prime Minister’s Doorstep

The Congress party’s decision to stage a sit-in at the Prime Minister’s 7 Lok Kalyan Marg residence aimed to shift the narrative from perceived administrative failures to holding the political class accountable for their actions. This protest followed the crackdown on student demonstrators during their march in Parliament, culminating in dramatic scenes where Rahul Gandhi was forcibly removed from the site and sustained a nosebleed amidst the chaos.

Angmo’s comments come in the wake of these events, suggesting that the Congress’s protest was an attempt to capture public attention rather than show real solidarity with the student movement, which she characterised as largely organic and devoid of political interference.

She indicated that the ongoing movements, principally led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), are reshaping the expectations of political leaders, demanding genuine action rather than mere symbolic gestures. Angmo emphasised that the protest should transcend political affiliations and focus on the importance of education as a fundamental issue.

Student Movement Focuses on Education Issues

Angmo, who is a Chevening scholar from Oxford University, reiterated that the student protests do not align themselves with either the opposition or the government. She stated, “For us, there is no opposition, there is no government. For us, Parliament is the highest institution.” This declaration underscores the protesters’ desire for the educational system to be prioritised in national discussions.

While Angmo welcomed individuals without political agendas to join the movement, she warned that those with ulterior motives would struggle to gain traction, asserting that this campaign stems from “sincerity and purity.” The emphasis on integrity appears to be a core principle of the ongoing protests.

Angmo has remained a steadfast supporter of her husband throughout his ordeal, particularly since his removal from the Jantar Mantar protest on July 18. Initially transferred to the government-run Safdarjung Hospital, Wangchuk was later allowed to move to a hospital of his choice following a petition from Angmo to the Delhi High Court.

Recently, Wangchuk communicated his demands to the government, insisting that students participating in the July 20 march should not face any punitive measures. Notably absent from his list of demands was a call for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, which many interpreted as a potential softening of his stance. However, earlier visits from Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh reportedly raised the prospect of considering this demand.

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