In a pointed attack on the Modi government, Rashtriya Janata Dal’s Rajya Sabha leader Manoj Jha questioned the compensation for social activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wrongful six-month imprisonment. The activist, detained under the stringent NSA on trumped-up charges, was finally released after the case crumbled.
Interviewed by IANS in New Delhi, Jha emphasized, “Release is secondary. The core problem is the false case that jailed him. Now withdrawn, but those six months—who compensates for that lost freedom?” He painted a grim picture of how NSA and similar laws are weaponized against innocents, with no remedy once exonerated.
Jha called for systemic changes, asking if India has provisions to restore the years stolen from wrongfully convicted citizens. His remarks resonate amid rising concerns over misuse of security laws.
Turning to Rahul Gandhi’s statements, Jha advocated viewing icons like Gandhi, Nehru, and Kanshiram beyond caste or party affiliations. “Their legacies are national treasures, not proprietary to any outfit,” he noted, promoting a unified appreciation of their contributions to India’s social architecture.
Jha expressed profound dismay over the brutal gang-rape and murder of a Class 10 student in Saran, Bihar. He alleged government efforts to hush it up, echoing NEET leak controversies. “These tragedies shatter societal trust,” Jha said. “Claims of ‘Sushasan’ ring hollow without daughter safety.”
With elections looming, Jha’s salvo challenges the ruling dispensation to address these failures head-on, fueling national discourse on human rights and governance.