Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Saturday launched an indefinite hunger strike after educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was admitted to hospital on the 21st day of his own fast.
The announcement came amid conflicting accounts surrounding Wangchuk's removal from Delhi's Jantar Mantar protest site. While the Delhi Police said he was shifted to hospital in compliance with a Delhi High Court order related to his deteriorating health, the CJP alleged that students were subjected to a lathicharge and that Wangchuk was forcibly taken away. Follow live updates on Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike here.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the CJP said, "Abhijeet Dipke sits on an indefinite hunger strike. The ‘Chalo Sansad’ march on 20 July will proceed as planned."
Earlier in the day, Dipke also alleged that he had been assaulted and detained, an accusation rejected by the Delhi Police. Dipke has been at the forefront of the protest, alongside several CJP supporters and activists, demanding accountability over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and examination irregularities.
Wangchuk was taken to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday after his health worsened during the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike.
The hospital said the activist was weak because of prolonged fasting and dehydration but added that his condition remained stable.
"Mr Sonam Wangchuk has been admitted at Safdarjung Hospital for required health care. He is weak due to prolonged fasting and dehydration. Although he is currently stable, he requires continuous observation, monitoring and treatment to restore his body parameters," Safdarjung Hospital said, according to news agency ANI.
The Delhi Police maintained that Wangchuk had been moved to the hospital to ensure he received necessary medical attention.
"As per orders of Hon’ble High Court and on expert medical advise due to the deteriorating health condition of Sh. Sonam Wangchuk, he has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care," the statement of DCP New Delhi read.
"While complying with the orders of Hon’ble High Court the protestors tried to create obstruction, in which slight commotion ensued, however police took maximum restrain and undertook the exercise safely," it added.
Police also appealed to demonstrators gathered at Jantar Mantar to "peacefully vacate the place at the earliest."
Meanwhile, Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, urged doctors at Safdarjung Hospital not to administer any oral or intravenous treatment to the activist without the approval of his family and the medical team that had been overseeing his condition.
In a post on X, Angmo said, “I am at Safdarjung hospital in Delhi where @Wangchuk66 has been admitted. Nothing should be administered to him orally or intravenous without taking consent from me, his family and his doctors who have been monitoring his health for the past 20 days.”
Wangchuk and the Cockroach Janata Party have been staging a protest at Jantar Mantar, seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities.
The CJP has also announced a peaceful march to Parliament on July 20, the opening day of the Monsoon Session.
Also Read | "Sonam Wanchuk Taken For Essential Care": Police Ask Protesters to Leave Jantar Mantar
