Sonam Wangchuk forcefully removed from Jantar Mantar, Abhijeet Dipke vows hunger strike will continue
Delhi Police on Sunday forcefully removed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on indefinite hunger strike from the last 20 days, from the Jantar Mantar, where the thousands of protesters had been protesting over the alleged NEET paper leak and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Denying lathicharge allegations at the protesters during the removal of activist Sonam Wangchuk from the protest site, the police said the action was taken in compliance with the Delhi High Court’s directions and on the advice of medical experts after Wangchuk’s health condition deteriorated.
According to sources, Wangchuk has been admitted to the hospital’s emergency ward. He is conscious and his vital parameters are stable. In a statement, the Delhi Police said Wangchuk was moved to the hospital for essential medical care based on expert medical advice and in compliance with the directions issued by the Delhi High Court.
Following Wangchuk’s hospitalisation, Delhi Police appealed to protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar to vacate the protest site peacefully at the earliest. A heavy deployment of police personnel was seen at the protest venue after Wangchuk was taken to the hospital.
Moments after Wangchuk’s removal from the protest site, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke announced that he would begin a hunger strike. Speaking at Jantar Mantar, he said the planned march on July 20 would go ahead as scheduled and asserted that the protest would continue despite Wangchuk being shifted to a hospital.
High Court had ordered regular health monitoring
The police action came days after the Delhi High Court directed authorities to conduct routine medical check-ups of Wangchuk’s health. Observing that “life of any citizen is precious”, the court had instructed authorities to ensure regular medical monitoring and provide any necessary medical intervention to protect his life.
On Friday, doctors monitoring Wangchuk’s condition reportedly described his health as an emergency, expressing concern over the possibility of organ failure if the fast continued.
Medical updates issued over recent days indicated that the activist had lost more than eight kilograms since beginning his hunger strike.
Protest over NEET paper leak
The 59-year-old activist has been on an indefinite fast demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak.
In recent days, several opposition leaders, including Congress leader Pawan Khera, Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, visited Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar and urged him to end his fast in view of his declining health.
The protest, organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), has called for educational reforms and accountability over the NEET controversy. The group has also announced a march to Parliament on July 20, coinciding with the start of the Monsoon Session.