Police in New Delhi forcibly transferred activist Sonam Wangchuk to a hospital on Saturday as his health deteriorated during a 20-day hunger strike. The strike is part of the "Cockroach Party" movement advocating for education reform in India.
Authorities increased security at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site in New Delhi, where Wangchuk had been camped with students and other activists. The protesters are calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, citing allegations of leaked examination papers. The movement also seeks comprehensive reforms to the examination system and compensation for families of students who have died by suicide following alleged exam leaks or poor results.
Wangchuk, a 59-year-old engineer and education reformer, has become a central figure for the movement, which gained traction in May. The "Cockroach Party" emerged after the Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant likened unemployed youth to "cockroaches" during a court hearing. Supporters adopted the term as a symbol of resilience and created a satirical political campaign that rapidly attracted over 21 million Instagram followers.
Delhi Police stated that Wangchuk was taken to the hospital due to his worsening health during the hunger strike. They reported a minor disturbance when some protesters attempted to prevent the transfer. Sachin Sharma, a deputy commissioner of police, confirmed that the hospitalization followed medical advice and a court order, describing it as "a much-needed medical intervention."
The "Cockroach Party" organization claimed on social media that Wangchuk was "forcefully abducted" by the government without his or his family's consent. Shortly after Wangchuk's hospitalization, Abhijeet Dipke, identified as the founder of the "Cockroach Party" and a student at Boston University, announced he would begin his own hunger strike.
Dipke alleged that police used force in removing Wangchuk, describing the incident as a "kidnapping." The party remains committed to its plan for a march to India's Parliament when its session begins on Monday. Dipke asserted that the movement's resolve would be strengthened by these events.
In response to the protests, authorities deployed additional police and paramilitary forces, erecting barricades around Jantar Mantar. Police described the security measures as precautionary and requested protesters' cooperation.