Uddhav Thackeray Calls for Govt to Turn to Ashes Over Sonam Wangchuk Incident

On Sunday, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray let loose a scathing tirade against the ruling BJP after climate‑engineer Sonam Wangchuk was taken from his fast‑strike spot at Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital. “What we see today is a fire – a blaze in which this government ought to be reduced to ashes,” he declared, his voice echoing across the crowd gathered in Dadar.

Thackeray didn’t stop at fiery metaphors. He juxtaposed Wangchuk’s modest contributions – like solar‑powered tents for soldiers in frigid zones – with what he called the BJP’s “stealing of donations, votes and the future”. “Are we calling a traitor someone who builds solar tents for our troops?” he asked, adding that the ruling party was merely a “cronies of industrialists” apparatus.

He also railed against the government’s refusal to meet Wangchuk at the protest site. “The Sangh once advocated dialogue with Pakistan, and Mohan Bhagwat says they’re not like Hitler – tell that to Modi. Where’s the dialogue with Wangchuk?” he queried, recalling how past protest icons like Anna Hazare were welcomed by ministers.

Turning his ire towards a specific minister, Thackeray singled out Dharmendra Pradhan, suggesting the BJP relied on “hired people” rather than genuine leaders. He invoked historic moments when “the British were forced to flee” after mass street protests, urging today’s youth to declare themselves patriots, not blind devotees.

Adding his own voice to the chorus, Shiv Sena MLA Aaditya Thackeray demanded Pradhan’s resignation. “The youth of Maharashtra have gathered in Mumbai for Sonam Wangchuk. Tomorrow we’ll see similar energy in Delhi as we march towards Parliament,” he told ANI. He warned that Wangchuk’s detention “goes against the country’s democracy”.

While the political fireworks continued, the Delhi High Court weighed in on the legal front. The court observed that the decision to shift Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital, made on health grounds, could not be termed “arbitrary” and did not infringe his personal liberty. It also declined to order his transfer to a private facility.

In short, the episode has turned into a flashpoint: a climate activist’s health, a senior opposition leader’s dramatic pronouncement, a junior leader’s resignation call, and a court’s sober assessment, all unfolding under the national spotlight.