New Delhi: Climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike over the alleged NEET-UG examination irregularities, was forcefully shifted to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital by the Delhi Police on Saturday saying on medical grounds.
The Delhi Police said the decision was taken on the advice of doctors and in compliance with directions issued by the Delhi High Court, which has been monitoring Wangchuk’s health amid concerns over his prolonged fast.
According to media reports, police personnel, many of them in plain clothes, arrived at the protest site at Jantar Mantar early on Saturday morning before taking Wangchuk to the hospital. A brief commotion ensued after some protesters attempted to prevent the police action, but officials said the operation was carried out with “maximum restraint”.
Many users on X posted videos of how the police in plain dress whisked away from the site covering white sheets around him. “The government cannot hide its misdeeds behind sheets and curtains; the eyes of democracy cannot be blindfolded.,” wrote Yogendra Yadav on X.
In a statement posted on X, the Delhi Police, however, said Wangchuk had been shifted for “essential medical care” following expert medical advice and the High Court’s orders. The police also appealed to the protesters to end their agitation and vacate the protest site peacefully.
“Sonam Wangchuk has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care. 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,” they wrote on X.
The police action came a day after doctors warned that Wangchuk’s health had reached a critical stage. According to medical updates cited in media reports, he has lost nearly 9.5 kilograms since beginning his fast on June 28, while his blood pressure, blood sugar and other vital parameters have remained under close medical supervision. Doctors had warned that prolonged fasting could lead to organ damage if his condition continued to deteriorate.
Wangchuk, despite his worsening health, had reiterated on Friday that he intended to continue the fast until the proposed Parliament march on July 20, the opening day of the Monsoon Session. In a video message shared before being hospitalised, he said he had “lost 20 per cent of my body” but remained determined to support the students’ movement demanding accountability over alleged examination irregularities.
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which has been leading the protest, alleged that Wangchuk was forcibly removed from the protest site. CJP founder Abhijit Dipke claimed he was assaulted and briefly detained by the police during the operation, while the organisation described the removal of the activist as a “national shame” in a post on X. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das called the police has kidnapped Sonam sir and their action is “comtempt of court.”
Meanwhile, three members of the All India Students’ Association (AISA)—Neha, Aameen and Manish—continued their indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. According to media reports, protesters formed a human chain around the AISA activists to prevent police from removing them. The student organisation alleged that attempts were made to end the peaceful protest, while police maintained that their actions were solely aimed at ensuring Wangchuk received necessary medical care.
CJP President Abhijit Dipke announced that he will be on indefinite hunger strike following the police action. “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 further said, “Until now, we were demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, but after this despicable act, we will now demand the resignation of Narendra Modi.”
Soon after Wangchuk was shifted to hospital, his wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, questioned the police action and objected to any medical treatment being administered without her consent. Speaking to reporters, she said Wangchuk had been in a stable condition the previous day and insisted that no treatment should begin without the family’s approval.
Wangchuk and several students have been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 in support of the CJP-led agitation demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and broader concerns over examination irregularities.
The Delhi High Court had earlier directed authorities to conduct daily medical assessments of Wangchuk and ensure that any necessary medical intervention was provided without delay, observing that every citizen’s life is precious and must be protected.
