Foreign News
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, on fast for over 20 days at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, removed from protest site, taken to hospital
New Delhi:
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. The activist was protesting against Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak.
🔴#BREAKING | Sonam Wangchuk Taken To Hospital On Day 21 Of Hunger Strike
NDTV’s @anushkagarg2000 reports from Jantar Mantar@reetksahni pic.twitter.com/gUzcmF0UBQ
— NDTV (@ndtv) July 18, 2026
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,” 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.”
As per orders of Hon’ble High Court and on expert medical advise due to the deteriorating health condition of Sh. Sonam Wangchuk, he has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care.
While complying with the orders of Hon’ble High Court the protestors tried to create…— DCP New Delhi (@DCPNewDelhi) July 18, 2026
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 Centre that “anything and everything should be done to protect Wangchuk’s life”.
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. A medical update two days ago had said that the activist had lost over 8 kilos and his health was deteriorating.
The 59-year-old was on fast, demanding the resignation of the education minister over the alleged NEET paper leak.
Photo Credit: ANI
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.
The protesters have given a call to a march to Parliament on the first day of Monsoon Session on July 20. They 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), who are 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.
The protesters say Pradhan must take moral responsibility for the leak and quit.
In an interview with NDTV, Pradhan had dismissed CJP and its supporters as “the B-team of disruptive elements” who “do not have faith in the country’s progress”.