Sonam Wangchuk Removed From Jantar Mantar Hunger Strike Site, Shifted to Hospital (Videos)

Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for 20 days at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, has been removed from the protest site and taken to the hospital. Police landed at the protest site early on Saturday morning and shifted Wangchuk to hospital amid protests and sloganeering by the Cockroach Janata Party activists who have been spearheading the protest against Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Police Cite High Court Orders And Deteriorating Health

In a statement, Delhi Police said that it has acted in accordance with the orders of the High Court and on expert medical advise due to the deteriorating health condition of Sonam Wangchuk. "Sonam Wangchuk has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care," the police statement said.

The police have also appealed to the protesters to vacate Jantar Mantar peacefully. "While complying with the orders of Hon'ble High Court the protesters tried to create obstruction, in which slight commotion ensued. Police, however, exercised maximum restrain and undertook the exercise safely. We request the protesters at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest," the statement added. Sonam Wangchuk To March to Parliament As Hunger Strike Enters Day 20, Says ‘I’ll Come Back as a Ghost’ if It Fails (Video).

Sonam Wangchuk Removed From Hunger Strike Site, Shifted To Hospital

High Court Had Ordered Daily Medical Checks

The police action came ahead of the hearing in Delhi High Court over deteriorating health. The court had two days ago directed authorities to conduct daily clinical health checks on climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. Observing that "life of any citizen is precious," the court ordered regular medical monitoring and necessary medical intervention. The High Court had told the Centre that "anything and everything should be done to protect Wangchuk's life." Sonam Wangchuk To March to Parliament As Hunger Strike Enters Day 20, Says ‘I’ll Come Back as a Ghost’ if It Fails (Video).

On Friday, doctors who checked on Wangchuk had described his condition as an emergency with a fear of his organs failing. Daily medical bulletins had raised concerns over Sonam Wangchuk's health, with a medical update two days ago saying that the activist had lost over 8 kilos and his health was deteriorating.

59-Year-Old Was Demanding Education Minister's Resignation

The 59-year-old was on fast, demanding the resignation of the education minister over the alleged NEET paper leak. The last few days saw a number of politicians from the Opposition parties visiting Wangchuk at the protest to show solidarity with his cause and urge him to end his hunger strike. Leaders including Congress' Pawan Khera, SP MP Dimple Yadav and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal met Wangchuk in the last two days and urged him to end his fast in view of his health.

Protesters Plan March To Parliament On July 20

The protesters have given a call for a march to Parliament on the first day of the Monsoon Session on July 20 and have appealed to political parties to join the march.

The protest at Jantar Mantar was started by the online satirical movement, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is demanding educational reforms in India. Led by founder Abhijeet Dipke, the CJP's immediate demand is the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak, with protesters saying Pradhan must take moral responsibility for the leak and quit.

Pradhan, on the other hand, has refused to quit. In an interview with NDTV, Pradhan dismissed CJP and its supporters as "the B-team of disruptive elements" who "do not have faith in the country's progress."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 18, 2026 08:16 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).