Delhi Police removed activist Sonam Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site and took him to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday morning [1].
The incident marks a critical escalation in Wangchuk's campaign for systemic education reforms and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following national competitive exam paper leaks [2].
Wangchuk was taken to the hospital on July 18, 2026, as his hunger strike entered its 21st day [1], [3]. The removal occurred after the protest had lasted 20 days [3]. Police intervention followed a Delhi High Court order requiring daily health checks for the activist due to concerns over his deteriorating condition [2].
Dipke, a member of the CJP, said Wangchuk was "forcefully" taken away by Delhi Police [4]. Upon arrival at Safdarjung Hospital, medical staff reported that the activist remained defiant. A doctor at Safdarjung Hospital said, "He is stable but refusing treatment, including oral and IV fluids" [5].
The police action was not limited to Wangchuk; other protesters were also removed from the site. A Delhi Police spokesperson said, "We appeal to the protesters to end their agitation and peacefully vacate the protest site" [6].
Wangchuk's protest has focused on the integrity of the national examination system. He has demanded accountability for the leaks that affected students across the country, a move that has drawn significant attention to the administrative failures of the education ministry [2].
“He is stable but refusing treatment, including oral and IV fluids.”
The forced hospitalization of Sonam Wangchuk highlights the tension between the Indian government's desire to maintain public order at Jantar Mantar and the legal obligations to ensure the safety of high-profile protesters. By refusing medical treatment even under hospital supervision, Wangchuk is attempting to maintain the moral leverage of his fast to pressure the education ministry into systemic changes.
