Mumbai Police Register Cases Against Organisers of Pro-Wangchuk Protest
Student organisations and opposition supporters held separate protests in south Mumbai on Saturday against the Delhi Police's removal of activist Sonam Wangchuk from his hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. The Mumbai Police detained protesters and registered cases against the organisers for holding demonstrations without permission.
Under the banner of Mumbai Against Suppression of Students (MASS), members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI), All India Students' Federation (AISF), Aamchi Padhai Aamchi Ladai, and other groups gathered outside Azad Maidan. They condemned Wangchuk's detention and expressed solidarity with students protesting alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination.
According to organisers, around 100 people participated in the protest. They alleged that police detained approximately 50 protesters shortly after the demonstration began, citing lack of permission, before later releasing them.
Mumbai Police confirmed that cases were registered against the organisers under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for holding an assembly without prior approval. Police stated that the protest was not permitted due to potential law and order issues.
Sonam Wangchuk, a climate activist from Ladakh, was on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi demanding action on climate change and education reforms. He was removed by Delhi Police on Thursday, leading to widespread protests by student groups and opposition parties.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between authorities and activists over the right to peaceful protest. Legal experts note that while permission is required for public assemblies, the Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful assembly under Article 19(1)(b), subject to reasonable restrictions.
