Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk taken to hospital by Delhi Police amid indefinite hunger strike: What we know
Dramatic scenes unfolded at Jantar Mantar on Saturday after police took climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike
Dramatic scenes unfolded at Jantar Mantar on Saturday after police took climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike since 28 June, to a hospital. The development comes a day after Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for the last 20 days in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)'s protest seeking Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, called for massive support for a scheduled Parliament march on 20 July. Quick answers to key questions • 5 QUESTIONS 1 Why did Sonam Wangchuk start his hunger strike? ⌵ Sonam Wangchuk began his hunger strike to support the Cockroach Janta Party's demand for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG paper leak. 2 What is the current health status of Sonam Wangchuk during his hunger strike? ⌵ As of the latest updates, Sonam Wangchuk's health has deteriorated significantly, with doctors indicating critical risks of organ involvement and a weight loss of approximately 9.5 kilograms. 3 What actions did the Delhi Police take regarding Sonam Wangchuk's protest? ⌵ The Delhi Police took Sonam Wangchuk to the hospital following court orders and expert medical advice due to his deteriorating health condition, despite protests from supporters at the site. 4 How long has Sonam Wangchuk been on his hunger strike?
⌵ Sonam Wangchuk has been on his indefinite hunger strike since 28 June, entering its 20th day as he continues to demand governmental accountability over educational reforms. 5 What has Sonam Wangchuk expressed regarding the upcoming Parliament march? ⌵ Sonam Wangchuk has emphasized the importance of the scheduled Parliament march on 20 July, stating he is determined to stay alive until then to press for their demands, urging support from his followers. Earlier on Friday, he said that he would stay alive till 20 July at any cost. Addressing his supporters, the climate activist said, "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." Wangchuk's removal and the police action at Jantar Mantar in the national capital came a day after Delhi got a new police commissioner, Anurag Kumar, who replaced Satish Golchha, more than nine months before the latter's scheduled retirement. CJP founder confirms Wangchuk removed from Jantar Mantar In a post on X, Abhijeet Dipke, CJP founder, who has been protesting at Jantar Mantar since 20 June, said that Wangchuk was being taken to the hospital forcefully, as Delhi Police allegedly lathicharged students and removed them from the protest site.
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