Sonam Wangchuk hunger strike LIVE: Wangchuk continues his fast in hospital; CJP’s Dipke claims

Police Removal at Jantar Mantar

The operation to remove Sonam Wangchuk began between 7 am and 8 am on Saturday. Witnesses described a swift scene where officers shielded the area with large white bedsheets to obstruct the view of the crowd.

Protesters alleged that the police deliberately chose a time when fewer volunteers were present at the site.

“It happened so fast that nobody could understand what was going on. People started running towards the stage. Everyone was trying to stop the police and make videos, but all we could see were the white sheets. Before we could get there, they had already taken him away.”

Talha, eyewitness

While the police stated they exercised maximum restraint during the removal, some protesters claimed they were subjected to pushing and jostling, with reports of minor injuries among volunteers.

Ongoing Protests and Solidarity Actions

Despite the removal of Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike for 21 days, the protest at Jantar Mantar continued. Volunteers maintained a presence on the stage, placing a framed photograph of the activist behind his empty mattress. Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), publicly declared his intent to begin an indefinite hunger strike in solidarity.

“Please come to Jantar Mantar to support the cause of your own children’s education. If they remove us from here, then start a Jantar Mantar where you are, in your corner of the country. Our protest will be Gandhian because we are all followers of Gandhi and Ambedkar.”

Abhijeet Dipke, CJP founder

Tensions remained high throughout the day. Protesters reported that electricity at the site was disconnected following the police action, and some claimed mobile network connectivity was disrupted for approximately an hour. Additionally, police moved toward a nearby camp where three students—Neha, Aameen, and Manish—were also fasting, though supporters formed a human chain to prevent further removals.

Official Justification and Public Reaction

Delhi Police maintained that the decision to move the activist was based on medical advice and existing Delhi High Court mandates regarding his declining health. However, the optics of the removal drew sharp criticism from those gathered at the site.

Yogendra Yadav, who visited the site to show support, characterized the government’s intervention as an admission of difficulty. Sonam Wangchuk’s vitals were not down, the Modi government’s vitals were down, that’s why this action has taken place, Yadav remarked.

For many protesters, the event served as a broader indictment of the education system and the handling of paper leaks.

“What is happening today is the outcome of years of paper leaks and the way young people’s futures have been treated. If we don’t stand up now, nothing will change.”

Sandeep, protester

The protest organizers have confirmed that plans for a march to parliament on July 20 remain in effect, signaling that the removal of Wangchuk has not curtailed the group’s broader objectives.