Anna Hazare’s advice to the Centre: Talk to Sonam Wangchuk, solution will emerge only through dialogue.

Tezzbuzz Desk- Social activist Anna Hazare has appealed to the Central Government to adopt the path of dialogue with educationist and social activist Sonam Wangchuk. He said that dialogue is the most effective medium in any democratic system and the government should not shy away from negotiating Wangchuk’s demands. Hazare says that whether the government accepts or rejects their demands, it is necessary to start the process of dialogue.

Releasing a video message, Anna Hazare said that the government should not test the patience of Sonam Wangchuk. He said that if there are differences on any issue then efforts should be made to resolve them through dialogue and mutual consent. He raised the question that when a solution can be found through talks then there is no reason to avoid it.

Referring to the experiences of his public life, Anna Hazare said that he too has fasted many times on various issues, but such situations have never arisen where the entire possibility of dialogue has been eliminated. According to him, the strength of democracy lies in the fact that the government and the agitating parties listen to each other and move towards a positive solution. He said that if the society has to move together then disputes should be resolved through consensus and dialogue instead of confrontation. Hazare warned that prolonging any dispute makes resolution difficult and only increases tensions. Therefore, all parties should come forward with sensitivity and responsibility.

These days, Sonam Wangchuk is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan regarding the question paper leak of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). With this demand, he was sitting on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. It was told that when his health deteriorated on the 21st day of his hunger strike, Delhi Police removed him from Jantar Mantar on Saturday and admitted him to a government hospital. After the action of removing Wangchuk from the fast site, opposition parties strongly criticized the central government. Many leaders of Congress, Samajwadi Party and opposition alliance INDIA termed the move as an attack on democratic rights and accused the government of acting against the spirit of the Constitution. The opposition says that peaceful and non-violent demonstration is a basic right of democracy, which should be respected.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also reacted to this development and said that it is completely wrong to remove Sonam Wangchuk, who is on a peaceful hunger strike, from Jantar Mantar. He said that the voices of students raising their issues cannot be suppressed. Rahul Gandhi posted on social media platform X alleging that the current government is trying to suppress the voices of dissent and ignoring democratic values. Opposition parties also alleged that the government has adopted a tough stance with protesters during several movements in recent years. Referring to the movement of women wrestlers and the protests of ex-servicemen, he said that the government’s attitude towards peaceful movements has been constantly under question.

It is noteworthy that Anna Hazare himself came into the limelight at the national level in 2011 due to his historic fast in demand of Lokpal law. His movement had created massive political pressure on the then UPA government and witnessed nationwide public support against corruption. Based on this experience, Hazare believes that dialogue between the government and the agitators can be the most effective and democratic solution to any dispute.