Police whisk Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar hunger strike to hospital
Around 6:30 AM on Saturday, Delhi Police officers dressed in civilian clothes removed Ladakhi activist Sonam Wangchuk from his hunger strike site at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The police whisked Wangchuk away to Safdarjung Hospital, citing concerns over his deteriorating health and a Delhi High Court order, on what was the 20th day of his indefinite fast.
The police action took place as supporters were watching over Wangchuk. Prashanth Mishra, a 48-year-old software professor from Seattle who was present at the site, reported that a group of men carrying white sheets approached the stage. Although some of the men claimed to be doctors, Mishra noted that medical staff were not scheduled to arrive until 8:30 AM.
Within 30 seconds, the plainclothes officers took over the stage, erected a makeshift curtain using the white sheets, and forcibly removed Wangchuk. Mishra stated that Wangchuk resisted the police but was taken away regardless. During the commotion, Mishra was allegedly dragged away, resulting in minor scratches and a broken mobile phone.
Another protester, 27-year-old Sonu from Gonda in Uttar Pradesh, reported that the officers kicked away boards on the stage and told him he had no business there. After the makeshift curtains were removed, only Wangchuk's book remained on his mattress.
Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), was away from the site when the police arrived but returned by 9:00 AM. Dipke alleged that he was briefly detained by the police during the incident. Following Wangchuk's removal, Dipke announced that he would go on an indefinite hunger strike to keep the protest movement from losing momentum.
Dipke criticized the police's handling of the situation, stating that the Delhi High Court's order only directed admission to the hospital if Wangchuk's condition was dire. He maintained that Wangchuk was stable and that his medical reports showed his vitals were fine.
About an hour later, social activist Yogendra Yadav arrived at the Jantar Mantar protest site to express solidarity. Dipke, holding a copy of the Constitution, wept as he addressed the remaining protesters, questioning the dignity of the police's actions.
