Delhi Police removed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from his hunger-strike protest at Jantar Mantar on July 18 [1].
The removal marks a critical escalation in the ongoing demonstrations, as Wangchuk's health became a focal point for both the government and his supporters.
Authorities shifted Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi [2]. Police said his health had deteriorated following a hunger strike that lasted between 20 [3] and 21 days [4]. Some reports said the removal was forceful [5], while others said he was shifted against his wishes.
The police cited a High Court order to remove the activist and urged other protesters to vacate the area [6]. Despite the removal of Wangchuk, the broader protest continued at the site.
The demonstrations involve demands for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan [6]. This movement has gained visibility through the so-called ‘Cockroach’ protest.
This police action followed a leadership change within the local force. The Ministry of Home Affairs replaced Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha with Anurag Kumar hours before Wangchuk was removed from the site [7].
Wangchuk has used the hunger strike to draw attention to climate issues and administrative grievances. The shift to the hospital concludes the immediate physical presence of the activist at the center of the Jantar Mantar encampment, though the political demands of the protesters remain active.
“Delhi Police removed Sonam Wangchuk from his hunger-strike protest at Jantar Mantar on July 18.”
The forced removal of Sonam Wangchuk highlights the tension between the Indian state's duty to maintain public order and the constitutional right to peaceful protest. By citing both medical deterioration and a High Court order, the government is attempting to neutralize a high-profile hunger strike that creates a potent visual of state neglect. The timing of the police commissioner's replacement suggests a strategic shift in how the administration intends to manage civil unrest in the capital.
