Govt should hold talks with Wangchuk, says UBT chief | Nagpur News

Nagpur: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday urged the BJP-led Centre to open dialogue with environment activist Sonam Wangchuk, whom police removed from Jantar Mantar, where he was on a hunger strike to protest irregularities in the NEET examination.Speaking to reporters on his arrival at Dr Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur, Thackeray said it is condemnable the police shifted Wangchuk to a hospital. “Govt must think about why Wangchuk and hundreds of students are sitting at Jantar Mantar. Instead of taking such action, it should hold talks with them,” he said.Thackeray claimed “lakhs of students suffered because of NEET paper leak” and questioned why Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan continued despite repeated controversies. Referring to protests by Mahatma Gandhi and Anna Hazare, he argued democratic govts should resolve agitations through dialogue rather than administrative action.Later in the afternoon, Thackeray led Ram Raksha Andolan at the Ram Mandir in Ram Nagar, where he recited the Ram Raksha Stotra and addressed party workers after offering prayers. While the party expected between 4,000 and 5,000 supporters, persistent drizzle restricted attendance to around 1,000.Supporters wearing saffron caps and carrying flags stood through intermittent showers, raising slogans of “Jai Shri Ram” and “Har Har Mahadev.” BJP was criticised over alleged irregularities in donations at Ayodhya Ram Temple. Several workers travelled from neighbouring districts and remained at the venue despite the showers.