Indian activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly removed from his 20-day hunger strike protest site in Delhi and taken to a government hospital for medical intervention, officials stated. The 59-year-old had been protesting in solidarity with the online satirical movement, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is demanding educational reforms.
Wangchuk, who had been consuming only salt and water, had lost over 9 kilograms. He was protesting in the scorching summer heat at Jantar Mantar, a historic observatory in Delhi. Videos from the protest site showed police and paramilitary personnel intervening early Saturday morning, escorting Wangchuk away amidst resistance from other protesters. He was subsequently taken to a hospital under medical supervision.
A police official, Sachin Sharma, stated that Wangchuk was moved in compliance with a Delhi High Court order from Thursday, which directed the federal government to monitor the activist's health and provide necessary treatment. Despite his deteriorating health, Wangchuk had expressed his intention to participate in a planned march to India's parliament on Monday.
The CJP movement, which began in May, protests against alleged paper leaks and irregularities in India's national examinations. Protesters, who refer to themselves as cockroaches, are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following the cancellation of a medical entrance exam due to a paper leak. The protesters believe the minister should take moral responsibility.
Minister Pradhan has dismissed the CJP and its supporters as disruptive elements, and the government has not directly engaged with the protesters. However, pressure has been mounting from opposition parties and civil society leaders for the government to address the issue. Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal visited Wangchuk earlier in the week, appealing to the government to listen to the students and the activist.
Wangchuk had indicated that if he were to die before the march, his "ghost would join the march." It remains unclear if the CJP will proceed with their planned parliamentary march without his participation.