Sonam Wangchuk Hospitalised on Day 21 of Hunger Strike as Jantar Mantar Protest Continues
An indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi continued on Sunday despite the hospitalisation of activist Sonam Wangchuk on Saturday, with student leaders pledging to press on with their protest and a planned march to Parliament on July 20.
Wangchuk, who had been fasting since June 28 over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday morning, marking the 21st day of his fast. Delhi Police stated that the move was made on expert medical advice and in compliance with directions from the Delhi High Court due to his deteriorating health. While police reported a "slight commotion" when some protesters tried to obstruct the transfer, they maintained that officers exercised maximum restraint and that no lathi charge or detentions occurred.
Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, maintained that he is continuing his hunger strike in the hospital, consuming only salt water. She questioned the decision to hospitalise him, stating that the High Court had only directed that his health be monitored regularly. In a message shared through his wife, Wangchuk claimed he was under "illegal detention" at Safdarjung Hospital and urged supporters to make the proposed July 20 Parliament march a success.
Meanwhile, three student activists associated with the All India Students' Association (AISA) have continued their hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. The fasting students have experienced significant weight loss. Neha, the AISA president and a PhD scholar at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), has lost 7.5 kg since the fast began. Ameen Amitoj, a PhD scholar at Dr BR Ambedkar University Delhi, has lost 9.3 kg, while Manish Kumar, AISA's Uttar Pradesh president and a PhD scholar at Allahabad University, has lost 10.4 kg.
Following Wangchuk's removal from Jantar Mantar on Saturday, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke also joined the indefinite hunger strike. Dipke alleged that Wangchuk was removed without his or his family's consent. He also shared a video showing Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel deployed at the protest site, alleging that authorities were preparing for a crackdown.
The hunger strike was launched in support of a CJP-led protest concerning alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and the reported deaths of students linked to the controversy.
