Sonam Wangchuk moved to hospital after 20-day hunger strike at Jantar Mantar

Climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk was taken to a hospital by Delhi Police on Saturday after he had been on a hunger strike for the past 20 days at Jantar Mantar.

Delhi Police said Wangchuk was moved to the hospital following directions from the Delhi High Court and medical advice due to his deteriorating health condition. In a post on X, DCP New Delhi said protesters tried to obstruct the process, leading to a "slight commotion", but police exercised restraint and completed the evacuation safely.

"While complying with the orders of Hon’ble High Court the protestors tried to create obstruction, in which slight commotion ensued, however police took maximum restrain and undertook the exercise safely," the DCP said.


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The police also appealed to protesters at Jantar Mantar to vacate the site peacefully.


Meanwhile, Abhijeet Dipke, founding president of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), alleged that Delhi Police forcibly removed Wangchuk from the protest site and assaulted protesters. In a statement on X, Dipke claimed that police personnel arrived at Jantar Mantar early morning and "dragged Sonam Sir away" while he was on a 20-day hunger strike.


"At 7 AM, when I stepped out to freshen up, police goons arrived here. They dragged Sonam Sir away while hurling abuse at him. A 60-year-old man, who had been on a hunger strike for 20 days and hadn't eaten a thing was forcibly dragged away by the Delhi Police," Dipke alleged.

He further claimed that he was assaulted and detained by police while he was on his way to Jantar Mantar after receiving information about Wangchuk’s removal.

At the protest site, Dipke also said that the movement won't end. "If they think that taking Sonam Sir away will end this movement, they are mistaken. We will remain here, and will march to Parliament on July 20," he said, adding, "Until now, we were demanding Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, but after this despicable act, we will now demand the resignation of Narendra Modi."

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), New Delhi, Sachin Sharma told ANI that no lathi charge was carried out against the protesters and that no one was detained.

"In accordance with the Hon'ble High Court's order and considering his health condition and expert medical advice, Mr Sonam Wangchuk has been shifted to a government hospital for treatment. There has been absolutely no lathi charge or anything of that sort," Sharma said.

After Wangchuk was shifted to the hospital, Dipke started an indefinite hunger strike and appealed to supporters to continue the protest.

Wangchuk, who was shifted to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital after being moved from the protest site at Jantar Mantar, is conscious and his vital parameters are stable, ANI reported citing sources.

Wangchuk had been sitting on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 as part of the protest led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in New Delhi. The agitation has focused on alleged irregularities in competitive examinations like NEET and demands for resignation of the education minister and accountability from the government.

His supporters had raised concerns over his health after doctors reported weight loss and warned that the prolonged fast had reached a critical stage. A medical update on Friday said Wangchuk had lost around 350 grams in 24 hours, with his weight falling to 56.55 kg.

The Delhi High Court had earlier directed authorities to ensure regular monitoring of Wangchuk’s health, stressing that his condition required attention.

However, Wangchuk urged supporters to participate in a planned march to Parliament on July 20. He said he wanted the government to take note of the protesters’ concerns rather than end the fast without action.