POLITICS

Police Disperse Sonam Wangchuk’s Hunger Strike, CJP Founder Abhijit Dipke Launches New Fast at Jantar Mantar

Police intervened at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday, ending Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike and hospitalising the activist. In response, CJP founder Abhijit Dipke announced a new non‑violent fast and vowed to march to Parliament, signalling an escalation of the protest movement.

By Open Vaartha Desk · 2026-07-18

TL;DR

Police ended Sonam Wangchuk’s fast; CJP founder Abhijit Dipke launched his own fast and vowed a march to Parliament.

Key points

• Police broke Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on July 18, 2026
• Wangchuk’s protest demanded water‑conservation measures and education‑policy transparency
• BJP co‑founder Abhijit Dipke announced a new fast and a march to Parliament
• Jantar Mantar remains a key site for anti‑government demonstrations
• The movement may intensify ahead of upcoming state elections

<p>Police units entered Jantar Mantar on the afternoon of July 18, 2026, and forcibly ended the hunger strike of activist Sonam Wangchuk. Officers escorted the fasting protester to a nearby hospital, citing concerns over his health and public order. Witnesses reported a tense standoff before the police moved in, and the crowd dispersed amid chants and scattered media coverage.</p><p>Sonam Wangchuk, a former civil servant turned activist, began his fast last week to demand immediate implementation of water‑conservation policies and greater transparency in the state’s education reforms. His protest had drawn support from students, environmental groups, and several opposition parties, turning Jantar Mantar into a focal point for broader dissent against the central government’s recent policy roll‑outs.</p><p>In the aftermath, BJP co‑founder Abhijit Dipke took to the same platform, announcing a “nirahar dhiksha” – a fast without food – to amplify the movement’s pressure on the parliament. Dipke declared, “We will stay here and continue the struggle; the march to Parliament will happen as planned.” His statement underscored a shift from localized protest to a coordinated nationwide campaign, with supporters promising to expand the sit‑in.</p><p>Jantar Mantar has historically served as a symbolic space for civil disobedience, and Dipke’s decision to remain there signals an intention to keep the issue in the public eye. Analysts note that a march to the parliament could test the government’s tolerance for sustained civil unrest, especially as the opposition seeks to capitalize on growing discontent over policy delays.</p><p>The episode also highlights internal dynamics within the BJP, where senior leaders like Dipke are willing to adopt grassroots tactics traditionally associated with opposition groups. If the planned march proceeds, it could force a political reckoning ahead of the upcoming state elections, potentially reshaping voter sentiment and prompting a re‑evaluation of the government’s outreach strategies.</p>