Morning drama: Police remove Wangchuk
Early Saturday morning, as the sun rose over Jantar Mantar, a dramatic scene took place at India’s main protest site. Plainclothes police officers, pretending to be a medical team, quickly removed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from his 21st day of an indefinite hunger strike.
Wangchuk (59-year-old) had been camping at the site since late June to support the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). The group, led by Abhijeet Dipke, is calling for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in national exams, including NEET.
Eyewitnesses described a tense scene as, around 7 am, about 10 plainclothes officers approached the protest stage. Protesters said the officers initially claimed to be a medical team but revealed their identities when questioned. “They ordered volunteers to move aside. We kept requesting them to wait, but suddenly they announced there was a High Court order to take Sonam, Sir, away,” one protester said.
As tensions increased, police put up large white sheets or curtains around the stage to block the view. Wangchuk was then carried away, covered with white sheets, and, according to some reports, he waved as he was moved. Videos and eyewitnesses described pushing, shoving, and a brief commotion as protesters tried to form human chains to protect him and other activists.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, who had briefly left the area, was reportedly detained during the incident.
He later announced an indefinite hunger strike in protest. Meanwhile, Delhi Police strongly denied using a lathi charge or excessive force.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), New Delhi, Sachin Sharma, said the action followed Delhi High Court directions for regular health checks and expert advice, due to Wangchuk’s worsening condition. He said protesters tried to block the process, causing “a slight commotion,” but police used “maximum restraint”. Police said that no one was detained and that the remaining protesters were asked to leave peacefully. Afterwards, there was a heavy police presence, including deployment of the Rapid Action Force (RAF).
Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital around 7:40 am and admitted for observation and treatment.
Hospital sources and officials said he is conscious and his vital signs are stable. Doctors are treating mild dehydration and electrolyte imbalances from his prolonged fast. He has reportedly lost about 9.5 kg since starting his fast on June 28. His wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, expressed concern, stating he appeared fine on Friday and asserting that no treatment should proceed without their doctors’ consent
Wangchuk started his hunger strike on June 28 after joining the CJP’s sit-in at Jantar Mantar, which began around June 20. He said he was fasting to support students, demand accountability in the education system, and draw attention to problems in Ladakh.
Some reports say Wangchuk has refused intravenous fluids. Students, farmers, and other supporters plan to hold a peaceful “Chalo Sansad” march to Parliament on July 20.
The Delhi High Court has been closely watching Wangchuk’s health, stressing that every citizen’s life is important. Police say they removed him for medical reasons, not for an arrest. The incident has led to strong reactions. Opposition leaders called the hospitalisation “forced” and “undemocratic.”
Supporters view it as an attempt to break a peaceful, constitutionally protected protest. Organisers insist the July 20 march will proceed. As the day unfolded, Jantar Mantar saw heavy security, with police clearing the area after Wangchuk was taken away. Throughout the day, Jantar Mantar had heavy security, and police cleared the area after Wangchuk was taken away.
Activist admitted to Safdarjung Hospital
New Delhi: Activist Sonam Wangchuk was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday after a 20-day hunger strike. Hospital authorities said he has refused intravenous fluids, oral rehydration solution, and other medications despite showing signs of dehydration and metabolic abnormalities. He remains under continuous monitoring and is being counselled to accept treatment.
Delhi Police brought Wangchuk, 59, to the hospital at 7:40 am after he had fasted from solid food for 20 days and reported generalised weakness. The hospital stated there was no history of fainting attacks. At admission, Wangchuk was conscious with a stable pulse, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation, though signs of dehydration were present.
Blood gas analysis showed compensated acidosis, decreased serum potassium, and a blood sugar of 78 mg/dl. Urinary ketones increased from 1+ at admission to 3+ by 1 pm.
Although intravenous fluids were recommended, Wangchuk has refused all fluids and medications. Sources familiar with the developments also said doctors are counselling his family to allow treatment to begin without further delay.
Shortly after his hospitalisation, Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, requested that no treatment be given without her consent and sought his discharge, citing a lack of transparency in his care. He was moved to the Government hospital after his health worsened on the 21st day of his hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, following medical advice and Delhi High Court directions. Angmo directed that no oral or intravenous medication or fluids be administered to Wangchuk without her consent and sought copies of all medical reports.
In a separate letter, she requested his discharge so he could be moved to a facility of the family’s choice, citing a lack of transparency and loss of confidence in the hospital. She said Wangchuk was absolutely fine, but Safdarjung Hospital has not shared the reports despite repeated requests. She added that the planned Parliament march on July 20 will go ahead with his participation on June 28 in support of the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest over alleged irregularities in the NEET and other examinations. He reported deaths of students linked to it.
