Climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to a hospital in New Delhi early on Saturday, July 18, after his health deteriorated following a 20-day indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.
The move was carried out on the advice of medical experts and in compliance with directions issued earlier by the Delhi High Court.
According to Delhi Police, officers reached the protest site early Saturday morning and transferred Wangchuk to hospital for medical care. The operation was briefly disrupted as protesters raised slogans and attempted to obstruct the transfer, but police said the exercise was completed safely.
“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 obstruction, in which slight commotion ensued, however police took maximum restrain and undertook the exercise safely. We request the protestors at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest,” the Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) said in a statement posted on X.
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.
— DCP New Delhi (@DCPNewDelhi) July 18, 2026
While complying with the orders of Hon’ble High Court the protestors tried to create…
The police action came ahead of a scheduled hearing in the Delhi High Court on Wangchuk’s health. Earlier this week, the court directed authorities to conduct daily clinical assessments of the activist, observing that “the life of any citizen is precious” and instructing the Centre to ensure all necessary medical intervention to safeguard his life.
Doctors monitoring Wangchuk on Friday had described his condition as an emergency, warning of the possibility of organ failure. Daily medical bulletins also indicated that the 59-year-old had lost more than eight kilograms since beginning his fast.
An engineer, educationist and climate activist from Ladakh, Wangchuk joined the protest at Jantar Mantar on June 29, beginning an indefinite hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
The protest has been organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a satirical political movement founded in May 2026 by former Aam Aadmi Party strategist Abhijeet Dipke. Although not registered as a political party with the Election Commission of India, the CJP describes itself as a youth-led digital activism movement advocating reforms on issues including unemployment, democratic accountability and education.
Several Opposition leaders, including Congress leader Pawan Khera, Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav and Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal, visited Wangchuk at the protest site in recent days and appealed to him to end his fast in view of his deteriorating health.
The protesters have also called for a march to Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session on July 20 and appealed to political parties to participate.
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