Don't compare Sonam Wangchuk with Mahatma Gandhi: Supreme Court vs Centre

Mahatma Gandhi's speech sparked a sharp exchange in the Supreme Court during Sonam Wangchuk's hearing, with the bench stressing full context and Gandhian principles, while Solicitor General Tushar Mehta objected to any comparison, calling it "anti-India" and opposing release on health grounds.

Mahatma Gandhi’s words took centre stage in the Supreme Court on Wednesday during the hearing in the Sonam Wangchuk case, triggering strong objections from the Centre.

At one point, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta urged the Supreme Court not to compare Ladakh-based social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is in preventive detention under the National Security Act (NSA), to Mahatma Gandhi, saying, “Let us not glorify that which is completely anti-India.”

The bench clarified that Gandhi’s speech was read only in reference to what he had said about his death for the sake of the nation.

Earlier during the hearing, the bench referred to Mahatma Gandhi’s last fasting speech while examining submissions made by the government regarding Wangchuk’s statements and protest methods.

The court emphasised that any speech must be read in its entirety and not selectively quoted.

Additional Solicitor General Natraj argued that Wangchuk’s speech suggested that violent agitation, like that seen in Nepal, could occur in India.