POLITICS

Police Hospitalise Hunger‑Striking Activist Sonam Wangchuk as CJP Calls for Mass March

Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s 20‑day hunger strike at Jantar Mantar ended abruptly when police escorted him to a hospital, sparking debate over protest rights. The move comes as the Cockroach Janta Party, led by founder Abhijeet Dipke, vows to continue the fast and march on Parliament, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

By Open Vaartha Desk · 2026-07-18

TL;DR

Police forced hunger‑striker Sonam Wangchuk into a hospital, prompting the Cockroach Janta Party to intensify its protest against the education minister and the prime minister.

Key points

Sonam Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike for over 20 days, consuming only salt water.
He lost more than 9 kg and was taken to a government hospital by police on July 16, 2026.
The protest targets Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged NEET‑UG 2026 paper‑leak irregularities.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke began his own indefinite fast and announced a march to Parliament, also demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation.

On July 18, 2026, activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk marked the twenty first day of an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protest follows allegations of massive paper‑leak irregularities in the national NEET‑UG 2026 medical entrance exam, a scandal that has ignited nationwide calls for transparency in the education system.Wangchuk, 59, has survived more than 20 days without solid food, subsisting only on salt water. Medical reports released by his supporters indicate a weight loss of over 9 kg and severe dehydration, raising concerns about his immediate health. The hunger strike, conducted under the scorching summer sun, has drawn attention to the personal toll of civil disobedience and the urgency of the demands.Around midday, police forces intervened, forcibly removing Wangchuk from the protest site and escorting him to a nearby government hospital. Authorities cited his deteriorating condition as justification, while critics argue the action violates the right to peaceful protest protected under Indian law. The incident sparked a brief clash between law‑enforcement officers and a small group of supporters, who attempted to prevent the removal.In response, Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), announced he would begin an indefinite fast in Wangchuk’s stead and vowed that the planned march to Parliament on Monday would proceed. Dipke called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation, linking the education scandal to broader governance failures. The CJP, which uses humor to spotlight policy gaps, has rallied several student groups and civil‑society organisations behind the march.The episode underscores the growing friction between activist movements and a government wary of dissent, especially in the wake of the NEET leak that has already prompted several parliamentary inquiries. Analysts note that forced medical intervention in hunger strikes is rare in India but may set a precedent for future protests. As the CJP prepares its march, the nation watches whether symbolic satire can translate into concrete policy change.