Sonam Wangchuk Removed from Jantar Mantar as Support for Hunger Strike Swells in 72 Hours
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Sonam Wangchuk Removed from Jantar Mantar: Delhi Police shifted hunger-striking Sonam Wangchuk to hospital before planned Parliament march, citing medical concerns and High Court directions.
By Pranjal Gupta
New Delhi, July 18: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was removed from the Jantar Mantar protest site and admitted to a hospital in Delhi, amid a gaining momentum to his protest for an open dialog with the government over alleged paper leak. He was picked up reportedly against his will by the Delhi Police early on Saturday morning, citing "essential medical care". Wangchuk entered had day 21 of his hunger strike today.
Several protesters, along with Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, alleged that they were manhandled while trying to stop officials from taking Wangchuk away "forcefully".
Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma told reporters that the action was taken on the advice of medical experts and in accordance with the Delhi High Court's directions, citing Wangchuk's deteriorating health.
Some protesters tried to obstruct the exercise, leading to a brief commotion. However, police personnel exercised maximum restraint and completed the operation successfully, he told news agency PTI.
Soon after the police action, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that the protesters were subjected to a police crackdown.
"I have been beaten up and put under detention by Delhi Police," Dipke said in a post on X.
Sharing a video on his X account, another CJP member, Saurav Das, claimed that the police arrived and forcefully took away Wangchuk, who was considerably weak due to his pledge to consume nothing until government officials agreed to begin talks over the paper leak.
Walk to Sansad
This comes just a day before the protesters were planning a massive march to Sansad (Parliament) on July 19 (Sunday) to press the government to address their concerns over the paper leak. The police also appealed to the protesters to end their agitation and peacefully vacate the protest site at the earliest.
Wangchuk Hunger Strike, NEET Paper Leak
Wangchuk joined the month-long protest on June 28 and announced an indefinite fast over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, which reportedly resulted in at least 20 suicides among teenagers.
Over the past 72 hours, people from all walks of life, including Bollywood celebrities, Opposition leaders, and activists, extended their support to Wangchuk's protest, and urged him to break his fast. In his video posted on Friday night, Wangchuk showed his string will, saying his physical capabilities were affected, but he could still go on his fast for few more days.
