Sonam Wangchuk Refuses to End Hunger Strike After Police Action Against Student Protesters

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has decided to continue his indefinite hunger strike following heavy-handed police action against student demonstrators during the "Sansad Chalo" (Parliament March) in New Delhi. Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke stated that while organizers had successfully convinced Wangchuk to break his fast, the activist reversed his decision upon learning of the police crackdown on peaceful protesters.

Wangchuk Reverses Decision Following Clashes at Jantar Mantar

Wangchuk, who was forcibly removed from the Jantar Mantar protest site on Saturday and admitted to Safdarjung Hospital, had initially agreed to conclude his weeks-long hunger strike. However, reports of police using tear gas and baton charges against student groups marching toward Parliament prompted the activist to extend his fast. Jantar Mantar: Delhi Police Register FIR Against Unidentified Persons Over Stone Pelting, Vandalism During CJP Rally.

"Sonam Wangchuk was about to end his fast yesterday. We had convinced him, but he decided to continue after the police brutality during the protests," CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke told reporters at the protest site.

In a hand-written note issued from Safdarjung Hospital, Wangchuk condemned the security personnel's response, expressing solidarity with the youth. He reiterated that his fast would persist until student representatives are permitted to present their grievances directly to parliamentarians or inside his hospital room.

Background of the CJP Agitation and NEET-UG Controversy

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led movement founded by digital strategist Abhijeet Dipke, has been holding sit-ins at Jantar Mantar demanding systemic educational reforms. The primary triggers for the widespread demonstrations stem from alleged irregularities and paper leaks in the NEET-UG examination.

The protesters' key demands include:

• The immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

• Comprehensive structural reforms within national examination bodies.

• Compensation for families of candidates impacted by exam cancellations and paper leak controversies.

Wangchuk joined the demonstration weeks ago in solidarity with student organizations like the All India Students' Association (AISA) and the Students' Federation of India (SFI). Will Sonam Wangchuk End His Hunger Strike? Here's the Condition He Has Set for the Centre.

'Police Brutality Changed His Decision'

Escalation During the Parliament March

Tensions peaked when thousands of demonstrators attempted to march from Jantar Mantar toward Parliament House. Security forces deployed multi-layer barricading, tear gas shells, and lathi-charges to halt the rally, resulting in several injuries among both protesters and law enforcement personnel. Over 70 individuals were temporarily detained during the standoff.

While a delegation of CJP representatives later held preliminary discussions with Union Minister J.P. Nadda regarding their demands, party leaders affirmed that the sit-in at Jantar Mantar will continue until formal assurances are given by the government.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 21, 2026 10:59 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).