Delhi police removed activist Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar and took him to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday [1].
The incident marks a critical escalation in Wangchuk's campaign for systemic education reforms and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. His protest focused on alleged leaks in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) papers, a matter of significant concern for students across India.
Wangchuk was taken to the hospital on the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike [1]. He had fasted for 20 days prior to his removal [2]. The police action occurred in the early morning hours of July 18, 2026 [3].
A spokesperson for the Delhi Police said the move was based on a High Court order and expert medical advice due to the deteriorating health condition of Sonam Wangchuk.
Supporters and members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) were also removed from the protest site. Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the CJP, said goons tried to attack the activist at Jantar Mantar.
Despite being forcibly moved to the medical facility, Wangchuk indicated that his resolve remains unchanged. "I am not backing down," Wangchuk said [2].
The protest had drawn significant attention to the demands for transparency in national examinations, and the accountability of the education ministry. The removal of Wangchuk by authorities follows a period of increasing tension between the activist's supporters and local law enforcement at the historic protest site.
“I am not backing down.”
The forced hospitalization of Sonam Wangchuk highlights the tension between the Indian state's duty to preserve life and the right to political protest through hunger strikes. By citing a High Court order and medical necessity, the government justifies the intervention, while activists view it as a method to dismantle a high-profile protest. The continued focus on NEET paper leaks suggests that public trust in the national examination system remains a volatile flashpoint for civil unrest.
