Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was removed from Jantar Mantar and taken to a Delhi hospital on Saturday, July 18, 2026.
The removal marks a critical escalation in Wangchuk's effort to draw national attention to governance in Ladakh and alleged systemic failures in India's medical entrance examinations.
Wangchuk was hospitalized on day 21 [1] of his indefinite hunger strike. He had spent over 20 days [2] at the protest site, with some reports describing the overall length of the agitation as nearly a month [3]. Police escorted him to the VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi.
The activist's protest targeted Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and alleged irregularities regarding the NEET-UG 2026 examination. His demands included constitutional safeguards for the region of Ladakh, environmental protection, and improved governance.
Chaos erupted at the site as Delhi Police cleared the area. A Delhi Police spokesperson said, "Delhi Police appealed to the protesters to end their agitation, saying they should peacefully vacate the protest site."
While police cited medical concerns and court directions as the reason for the removal, protesters alleged they were forcibly cleared. Wangchuk's wife said, "There was no need to bring him to hospital."
The protest has gained support from high-profile figures. Actor Hrithik Roshan said, "I stand with Sonam Wangchuk and his fight for a fair NEET exam."
Wangchuk, an education reformer, has long used public demonstrations to advocate for the fragile ecology and political autonomy of the high-altitude region of Ladakh.
“"There was no need to bring him to hospital"”
The forced removal of Sonam Wangchuk highlights the tension between the Indian government's administrative control over protest sites and the growing unrest regarding the NEET-UG 2026 exams. By linking education irregularities with the political and environmental grievances of Ladakh, Wangchuk has expanded a localized regional struggle into a broader national conversation about transparency and constitutional rights.
