Guwahati: Delhi Police shifted climate activist Sonam Wangchuk to a hospital early on Saturday after his health deteriorated during an indefinite hunger strike over alleged NEET examination irregularities, ending his sit-in at Jantar Mantar as the protest entered its 21st day.
The police action came ahead of a scheduled Parliament march by protesters and followed directions from the Delhi High Court, which had ordered regular medical monitoring and necessary intervention to protect Wangchuk’s health.
Police personnel reached Jantar Mantar before sunrise and escorted Wangchuk from the protest venue to a hospital. Supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is leading the agitation against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, staged protests and raised slogans during the operation.
In an official statement, Delhi Police said Wangchuk was hospitalised in compliance with the High Court’s directions and on the advice of medical experts after his health condition worsened.
“Sonam Wangchuk has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care,” the statement said. Police said some protesters attempted to block the operation, resulting in a brief disturbance, but added that personnel exercised restraint and requested demonstrators to vacate Jantar Mantar peacefully.
The High Court had earlier directed authorities to carry out daily clinical examinations of Wangchuk and ensure timely medical treatment, observing that every citizen’s life must be protected. It also instructed the Centre to take all necessary measures to safeguard the activist’s health.
Doctors examining Wangchuk on Friday had described his condition as a medical emergency, warning that prolonged fasting could lead to organ failure. Health updates issued during the protest said the 59-year-old had lost more than 9 kg since beginning his indefinite fast.
Providing a medical update on the 19th day of the hunger strike, Dr Satish Lamba said Wangchuk remained mentally alert and clinically stable but cautioned that doctors were closely monitoring him for signs of further deterioration.
Hours before being taken to hospital, Wangchuk released a video message urging people to join the planned Parliament march on July 20, saying public participation would determine the strength of the movement.
“Yes, I am still alive. Twenty per cent of my body is gone. After fats, muscles are gone. After that, organs will go. Finally, the brain. The time has not come yet,” Wangchuk said.
He added, “The 20th day is coming to an end. Let me prove that my mind is still fine.”
Responding to questions about whether the protest could lead to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Wangchuk said mass public movements had repeatedly brought political change in the country.
“I ask you — do the people of India love their children’s lives and education more, or onions?” he said, citing past governments that fell following public protests over rising onion prices.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke was also detained during the police operation. In a post on X, Dipke alleged that Delhi Police had assaulted him before taking him into custody.
The CJP has been staging protests at Jantar Mantar since June 20, demanding Pradhan’s resignation over the alleged NEET paper leak, a judicial investigation into examination-related irregularities and broader reforms in the country’s examination system.
Wangchuk joined the protest on June 28 and has remained on an indefinite hunger strike since then. Several Opposition leaders, including Congress leader Pawan Khera, Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, visited him in recent days to express support for the protest while urging him to end his fast because of his worsening health.