Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), announced that protests will continue after activist Sonam Wangchuk was removed from Jantar Mantar [1].
The incident marks an escalation in tensions between the CJP movement and Indian authorities, signaling a shift toward more aggressive hunger strikes to maintain political pressure in the capital.
Wangchuk was removed from the protest site on June 8, 2024 [2]. Reports regarding the removal vary, with some accounts stating he was taken to Safdarjung hospital after an object was thrown [3]. Other reports indicate that Wangchuk did not want to go to the hospital but was taken away while hidden under white sheets [3].
Dipke reacted to the removal of the activist. He said, "He’s not a criminal" [4]. Following the event, Dipke said he had started an indefinite hunger strike to keep the movement alive [4].
Dipke also warned that the government would be held accountable for the safety of the activist. He said, "Govt will be responsible if they attack Sonam Wangchuk" [5]. During the unrest at the site, ink was reportedly thrown at Dipke [3].
The protest has caused significant disruptions to local commerce in Delhi. Shops, offices, and restaurants in the Connaught Place area were scheduled to close by 6:30 p.m. on Thursday [1].
Dipke maintained that the removal of Wangchuk would not end the CJP's efforts. He said the protest will continue despite the intervention by police and the shift of Wangchuk to a medical facility [5].
“"He’s not a criminal."”
The transition of leadership in the hunger strike from Sonam Wangchuk to Abhijeet Dipke suggests a strategic effort by the Cockroach Janta Party to ensure the protest does not collapse after the removal of its most prominent figure. By framing the removal as a government-backed attack and responding with a new hunger strike, the CJP is attempting to maintain public sympathy and visibility for their cause despite police intervention.
