Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was taken into medical care by the Delhi Police on Saturday after completing 20 days of a hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, where he had been demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak.
Police personnel reached the protest site early in the morning dressed in civilian clothes, with many wearing blue or white shirts, while others were seen in yellow, orange or black T-shirts. A heavy security presence was deployed and white sheets were put up around the area before officers escorted Wangchuk away, leaving many protesters with little indication of what was unfolding.
Officials said the 59-year-old activist was shifted to the hospital "peacefully", despite brief resistance marked by protests and slogan-shouting from Cockroach Janata Party activists, who have been leading the agitation.
According to officials, the operation was carried out with maximum restraint.
Wangchuk has been admitted to the emergency ward of Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital. Sources told news agency ANI that he is conscious and his vitals are stable.
In a statement, the Delhi Police said the decision to move Wangchuk was taken in compliance with the Delhi High Court's directions and on expert medical advice because of his worsening health.
"Sonam Wangchuk has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care. While complying with the orders of Hon'ble High Court the protesters tried to create obstruction, in which slight commotion ensued. Police, however, exercised maximum restrain and undertook the exercise safely," they wrote on X.
The police also urged demonstrators to leave Jantar Mantar peacefully "at the earliest".
The intervention came a day after doctors assessed Wangchuk's condition as a medical emergency, warning of the possibility of organ failure. A health update issued two days earlier had stated that the activist had lost more than eight kilograms and that his condition was continuing to deteriorate.
Despite his declining health, Wangchuk had pledged to continue until July 20, the opening day of the Monsoon Session, when protesters plan to march to Parliament.
"I am weak from the outside but very strong inside. I am sure all of you are strong from the inside, and outside too. We need this energy for July 20, when we will take out a peaceful march to Parliament. We will go together and present our plea in the temple of democracy. I will stay alive till July 20 at any cost. If you don't come and July 20 is not successful, I will come back as a ghost," the activist had told his supporters.
