Imran Masood calls Sonam Wangchuk 'Anna Hazare Part 2', BJP says Congress wanted protest to continue
A fresh political row erupted after Congress MP Imran Masood called activist Sonam Wangchuk to "Anna Hazare Part 2" following the end of his 26-day hunger strike. The BJP accused the Congress of undermining dialogue and prioritising politics over a resolution to the agitation.
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A political controversy has broken out after Congress MP Imran Masood described activist Sonam Wangchuk as "Anna Hazare Part 2" and claimed that he struck a "personal deal" with the Central government to end his indefinite hunger strike, drawing sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Masood made the remarks after Wangchuk called off his 26-day fast late on July 23 following written assurances from Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh on key demands related to examination reforms and the ongoing student agitation.
Speaking to reporters, Masood questioned the circumstances under which the protest was withdrawn.
"He is Anna Hazare Part 2. Anna remained silent for 12 years, and now Sonam Wangchuk will remain silent. You were striking a deal with the government yesterday. Was any student present there? What else is there except your personal deal with the government?" he said.
#WATCH | Delhi | On Sonam Wangchuk ending his indefinite fast, Congress MP Imraan Masood says, "He is Anna (social activist Anna Hazare) part two. For 12 years, Anna has remained silent, and now Sonam Wangchuk will remain silent. You were striking a deal with the government… pic.twitter.com/g2UAoSpIbn
— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2026
The Congress leader alleged that Wangchuk had reached a personal understanding with the government but did not provide any evidence to substantiate the claim.
Wangchuk ended his hunger strike after the Centre reportedly provided written assurances on three issues, including a parliamentary discussion on examination accountability, protection of peaceful protesters from punitive action, and consideration of compensation for families affected by the NEET controversy.
On Congress MP Imran Masood's comment, Founding President of Cockroach Janta Party, Abhijeet Dipke says, "This protest belongs to the youth of the nation, not the Opposition parties. This movement will not weaken."
#WATCH | On Congress MP Imran Masood's comment, Founding President of Cockroach Janta Party, Abhijeet Dipke says, "This protest belongs to the youth of the nation, not the Opposition parties. This movement will not weaken." pic.twitter.com/pbERvFvJqF
— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2026
The BJP responded strongly to Masood's remarks, accusing the Congress of attacking Wangchuk because he chose dialogue with the government instead of prolonging the agitation.
BJP IT Department head Amit Malviya said the Congress had "turned its guns" on Wangchuk for ending his fast and opting for negotiations.
According to Malviya, the Opposition appeared more interested in keeping the protest alive than securing a resolution to the issues raised by students. He alleged that the Congress was unwilling to acknowledge any outcome achieved through dialogue with the Centre.
ALSO READ: Sonam Wangchuk ends hunger strike after 26 days; CJP's Abhijeet Dipke says protest would continue
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also criticised the Congress, saying the party was attempting to discredit Wangchuk after the government succeeded in persuading him to withdraw the fast.
Poonawalla questioned the Congress leadership's role during the agitation, claiming Rahul Gandhi neither joined Wangchuk's protest nor actively supported the movement.
He alleged that the Congress was now attempting to undermine the activist instead of welcoming a negotiated settlement.
The BJP spokesperson further challenged the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and its founder Abhijeet Dipke to clarify whether they endorsed Masood's comments on Wangchuk.
According to Poonawalla, the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Samajwadi Party (SP) and the CJP were more concerned about political credit than resolving students' concerns.
The controversy has shifted attention away from the Centre's written assurances and the next steps on Wangchuk's demands, with the focus now turning to the Opposition's reaction to the end of the hunger strike.
Rather than questioning the government on the implementation of the commitments made to the activist, Congress MP Imran Masood questioned Wangchuk's decision to end the protest, leading the BJP to accuse the Opposition of being more invested in sustaining the political confrontation than welcoming a negotiated resolution.