The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) escalated its standoff with the Centre on Saturday, widening its demand from the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to that of PM Narendra Modi himself.
CJP calls for PM Modi's resignation
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke holds a portrait of Sonam Wangchuk after announcing his own indefinite hunger strike following Wangchuk's hospitalisation, in New Delhi on Saturday. (ANI Photo)Sonam Wangchuk, admitted to Safdarjung Hospital on the 21th day of his hunger strike, is under close medical observation as doctors counsel his family to allow treatment to begin without further delay, sources told news agency PTI. Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali J Angmo, in a post on X, said, “Safdarjung Hospitals report’s potassium level is 2.9 whereas just yesterday it was 4.3. They are not allowing me to either get a second opinion by taking him to another lab not are they giving me his blood sample in my presence which I can get tested elsewhere. I have been waiting since 3 hours but they haven’t obliged us yet.” She added, “This lack of transparency is making us suspicious and we have asked to be discharged immediately so that we can go to a hospital that we are comfortable with.”
‘March will go on’: Shortly after his hospitalisation, Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, asked the hospital not to administer any treatment without her consent and sought his discharge, alleging a lack of transparency in his medical care. “Sonam Wangchuk remains under close medical observation at Safdarjung Hospital after a prolonged fast. Doctors have found dehydration, low potassium and rising ketone levels, which can increase during fasting but, when significantly elevated along with dehydration, may pose a risk to kidney function and other metabolic complications,” a source said. “Hospital authorities are continuously counselling the family to allow treatment to begin without further delay,” the source added.
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Woman hurls ink at Dipke: A woman hurled ink at Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke while he was addressing a gathering, hours after the CJP leader announced hunger strike after Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to a hospital. The woman’s identity and the motive behind the act were not known. However, she has been detained. Earlier in the day, Dipke announced that he was beginning an indefinite hunger strike after Wangchuk was admitted at the Safdarjung Hospital. “I am starting an indefinite hunger strike beginning right now,” Dipke said in a post on X.
Following the police action, Dipke alleged that he had been beaten up and detained by Delhi Police. He also said he was denied entry at Jantar Mantar protest site and called for a peaceful nationwide strike in protest against the police action. The Delhi Police has urged protestors at Jantar Mantar to vacate the site at the earliest. Heavy deployment of Delhi Police personnel was seen at the protest site following Wangchuk’s hospitalisation.
Live Updates
Opposition unite over Wangchuk
On the eve of Parliament’s monsoon session, the beleaguered Opposition, reeling under splits and floor-crossings, rallied together Saturday to attack the BJP government over moving activist Sonam Wangchuk from his Jantar Mantar protest site to Safdarjung Hospital. The signal was clear: the issue will find an echo in the House when it reopens Monday.
Read our full report here.
Sonam Wangchuk's health update
The health ministry released a statement saying that as of 9pm, "Wangchuk remains conscious and haemodynamically stable. His pulse, blood pressure and oxygen saturation are currently within normal limits. However, he is exhibiting clinical signs of dehydration, and in view of his prolonged fasting, his condition warrants immediate medical intervention to prevent further deterioration."
Despite repeated counselling, Wangchuk's family has also not yet provided consent for medical intervention, said Safdarjung Hospital officials.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsActivist Sonam Wangchuk's health update as on 9 PM | Sonam Wangchuk, who is admitted at VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, remains conscious and haemodynamically stable. His pulse, blood pressure and oxygen saturation are currently within normal limits. However, he is exhibiting… pic.twitter.com/CLpNoOMROR
— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2026
Delhi Police planning to crackdown on our protest tonight: CJP
Abhijit Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) said that the " Delhi Police is planning to crackdown on our protest during night or early hours of morning - silencing the voice of youth." He urged people to join them for a night vigil ahead of the proposed ‘Chalo Sansad’ march on Monday.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsDelhi Police is planning to crackdown on our protest during night or early hours of morning - silencing the voice of youth.
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) July 18, 2026
We request everyone to join us for night vigil at Jantar Mantar, so that together we can march to Sansad on 20th pic.twitter.com/0Pk2HLW6mG
Student organisations, Opposition supporters stage protests in Mumbai
Meanwhile, in Mumbai, student organisations and Opposition supporters staged separate protests in south Mumbai on Saturday against Delhi Police's removal of Sonam Wangchuk from his hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, with Mumbai Police detaining protesters and registering cases against organisers for holding demonstrations without permission, our reporters on the field Pallavi Smart and Manish Kumar Pathak say.
Under the banner of Mumbai Against Suppression of Students (MASS), members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI), All India Students' Federation (AISF), Aamchi Padhai Aamchi Ladai and other groups gathered outside Azad Maidan to condemn Wangchuk's detention and express solidarity with students protesting over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination.
Left parties condemn Wangchuk's removal
Left parties condemned the police action against activist Sonam Wangchuk and protesters at Jantar Mantar, and accused the Centre of suppressing democratic dissent instead of addressing the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, while extending support to the continuing student-led agitation.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation said the protest would continue despite Wangchuk's removal from the protest site, with three members of its student wing AISA -- Neha, Manish and Aameen -- continuing their indefinite hunger strike. The party also appealed to people to join the July 20 Parliament march.
CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby and Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary D Raja also criticised the police action, alleging that the government had resorted to force instead of responding to the protesters' demands and calling for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.
Kapil Sibal slams PM Modi for not holding dialogue with CJP protesters
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi as to why he did not initiate a dialogue with those protesting against paper leaks, and urged people to come out on the streets to protest peacefully and fight this "new battle for freedom".
"I am very concerned about what is happening and the fashion in which Sonam Wangchuk was taken (to the hospital).
"I remember when Modi ji was the chief minister of Gujarat, and Anna Hazare's movement was on. He had openly criticised (the UPA government), and said, 'I wish I were not the chief minister. I would have gone and said how can you take people away at night'. But he's not worried about that now," Sibal said at a press conference.
Police amp up protection at Jantar Mantar
Police have stepped up round-the-clock surveillance, vehicle checks and additional personnel are being deployed ahead of the CJP's Parliament march on Monday, after Sonam Wangchuk who is on a hunger strike was forcibly taken away to a hospital.
Police have converted key entry points into the New Delhi district into high-security zones, with elaborate barricading, intensive checking of vehicles and enhanced pickets to prevent any breach of law and order, sources told PTI.
Anna Hazare urges Centre to hold talks with Wangchuk
Activist Anna Hazare is urging the Union government to hold talks with Sonam Wangchuk.
"The government should not test his limits. Say yes or no (to his demands) but what is wrong in holding discussions," Hazare said in a video message.
Scenes from Jantar Mantar: More police deployed at entrance
At the Jantar Mantar protest site, more police and Rapid Action Force personnel have been spotted near the entrance. (Express Photo by Swapnil Joglekar)
'Hospital's lack of transparency making us suspicious'
Alleging the hospital's "lack of transparency", Sonam Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali J Angmo said "Safdarjung Hospitals report’s potassium level is 2.9 whereas just yesterday it was 4.3. They are not allowing me to either get a second opinion by taking him to another lab not are they giving me his blood sample in my presence which I can get tested elsewhere. I have been waiting since 3 hours but they haven’t obliged us yet."
In a post on X, she added, "This lack of transparency is making us suspicious and we have asked to be discharged immediately so that we can go to a hospital that we are comfortable with."
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsSafdarjung Hospitals report says @Wangchuk66’s potassium level is 2.9 whereas just yesterday it was 4.3. They are not allowing me to either get a second opinion by taking him to another lab not are they giving me his blood sample in my presence which i can get tested elsewhere. I…
— Gitanjali J Angmo (@GitanjaliAngmo) July 18, 2026
How can govt be so merciless towards students?: CJP founder's father
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke's father expressed concern over his son sitting on an indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar, and asked how the government could be so "merciless" to the students who are Indian nationals.
Claiming that students are on indefinite hunger strikes in various parts of the country, Bhagwan Dipke asked whether the government is waiting for someone to die.
He accused the government of not listening to demands raised by students and threatened to join his son's indefinite fast.
Uddhav Thackeray slams Centre, says it doesn't value life of citizens
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray condemned the Union government for removing activist Sonam Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site, where the latter was on a hunger strike for the past 21 days.
The government does not value the life of citizens, Thackeray said while urging the Centre to talk to the protesting youth.
Rahul Gandhi says removal of Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar is wrong
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the "removal of Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar while he was on a non-violent hunger strike is wrong." In a post on X, he said, "The core tenets of the Modi government are Asatya (falsehood) and Hinsa (violence). Paper leaks, the rising cost of education, and student suicides are critical issues for India’s future. No amount of force can deter India’s students, and those of us who love and believe in them, from raising these issues."
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsThe core tenets of the Modi government are Asatya and Hinsa.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 18, 2026
The removal of Sonam Wangchuk ji from Jantar Mantar while he was on a non-violent hunger strike is wrong.
Paper leaks, the rising cost of education, and student suicides are critical issues for India’s future.
No…
Doctors urge family to allow Wangchuk's treatment
Sonam Wangchuk, admitted to Safdarjung Hospital after a 20-day hunger strike on Saturday, is under close medical observation as doctors counsel his family to allow treatment to begin without further delay, sources told news agency PTI.
"Sonam Wangchuk remains under close medical observation at Safdarjung Hospital after a prolonged fast. Doctors have found dehydration, low potassium and rising ketone levels, which can increase during fasting but, when significantly elevated along with dehydration, may pose a risk to kidney function and other metabolic complications," a source told PTI.
"Hospital authorities are continuously counselling the family to allow treatment to begin without further delay," the source added.
Shortly after his hospitalisation, Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, asked the hospital not to administer any treatment without her consent and sought his discharge, alleging a lack of transparency in his medical care.
Wangchuk's photo on stage at Jantar Mantar
Protesters have placed a photo of Sonam Wangchuk on stage at Jantar Mantar where he continued his fast before being removed by Delhi Police earlier today. (Express Photo by Swapnil Joglekar)
Kejriwal urges parents, students to join Jantar Mantar protest
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal appealed to citizens to join the protest at Jantar Mantar after activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to hospital by Delhi Police, urging them to stand with those fasting for reforms in the examination system.
In a video message posted on X, Kejriwal said Wangchuk and Dipke were not on hunger strike for themselves but for students across the country. He urged parents not to remain silent and to join the protest in support of demands for a fair examination system.
"If they are sitting at Jantar Mantar for your children, why are you sitting at home? Why aren't you sitting with them at Jantar Mantar?" he said.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsआज सोनम वांगचुक, अभिजीत दीपके और ये सारे युवा आपके बच्चों के भविष्य के लिए लड़ रहे हैं।
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 18, 2026
अब घर बैठने से काम नहीं चलेगा। अब सबको एक होकर सड़कों पर उतरना होगा। तभी इस देश में कुछ बदलेगा।
उठो, चलो जंतर मंतर। pic.twitter.com/9FS91uVVTW
Sonam Wangchuk is absolutely fine but hospital not sharing reports: Wife
Sonam Wangchuk is "absolutely fine" but the Safdarjung Hospital has declined to share copies of medical reports despite repeated requests, his wife Gitanjali J Angmo said to news agency PTI asserting that the Parliament march will go ahead as planned with his participation.
Angmo also sought Wangchuk's discharge, citing a lack of transparency at the hospital, where the activist was shifted from the Jantar Mantar protest site early Saturday, the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike.
She also questioned the police presence outside the hospital, and asked why they were not allowed to carry their phones inside, saying it felt like they were in a "prison".
Sharad Pawar slams Centre over Sonam Wangchuk's arrest
Amid speculations of NCP-SP joining hands with the BJP, party president Sharad Pawar has slammed the central government over arrest of Sonam Wangchuk, saying it is an attempt to undermine democracy.
Sonam Wangchuk murals lead to 2 arrests and police scrutiny in Guwahati
Two people have been arrested in Guwahati for allegedly “damaging public property” while painting a mural of activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday, a police official said. Wangchuk, who had been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi for the past 20 days, was taken to Safdarjung Hospital in south Delhi on Saturday morning amid heavy police deployment at the protest site. Read full article
'No oral or intravenous substance should be administered': Wangchuk's wife writes to Safdarjung Hospital
Sonam Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali J Angmo has written to Medical Superintendent of the Safdarjung Hospital saying Sonam Wangchuk should not be administered any oral or intravenous substance or fluid without her consent.
Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike continues, says wife Gitanjali Angmo
Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of Sonam Wangchuk, on Saturday said that the activist's hunger strike continues. This comes even as Wangchuk was taken to Safdarjung Hospital in the city after his health deteriorated after 20 days of fast. Angmo said that the planned march to Parliament on July 20 would go ahead despite Wangchu's transfer to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police.
"July 20 march is confirmed. Changing the education system is the responsibility of the executive and policymakers. Our job is to tell them that the system has completely collapsed," Angmo told reporters outside the Hospital, according to PTI.
Angmo said Wangchuk had refused electrolyte powder and continued with his fast. "Sonam Wangchuk has fasted for 20 days, and it is still going on. The doctors spoke about giving him electrolyte powder, but he refused. His fast is still continuing," she said.
'Such arrogance is not right': Kejriwal attacks Modi govt over Wangchuk's hunger strike
AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday hit out at the government over its "arrogance" and said that the NDA government should have talked to Sonam Wangchuk. Taking to X, Kejriwal said, "Such arrogance is not right. Instead of forcibly lifting them up, the Modi government should have talked to Sonam Wangchuk. Instead of crushing the cockroach movement, reform the country's education and examination system. The Modi government's defeat is in forcibly dealing with Sonam Wangchuk."
इतना अहंकार ठीक नहीं है।
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 18, 2026
उन्हें जबरन उठाने की बजाय, मोदी सरकार को सोनम वांगचुक से बात करनी चाहिए थी।
कॉकरोच आंदोलन को कुचलने की बजाय, देश की शिक्षा और परीक्षा व्यवस्था सुधारो
सोनम वांगचुक के साथ ज़बरदस्ती मोदी सरकार की हार है।
Woman who threw ink at Abhijeet Dipke detained
The woman, who threw ink at CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, has been detained. A video, shared by PTI, showed the woman throwing ink at Dipke.
Woman throws ink at Abhijeet Dipke at Jantar Mantar
A woman threw ink at Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke at Jantar Mantar. Dipke is on a huger strike after Sonam Wangchuk was taken to the Safdarjung Hsopital.
VIDEO | Delhi: A woman throws ink at Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke at Jantar Mantar leading to chaos at the protest site. More details are awaited.#jantarmantar #delhi #cjp
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 18, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/VF5sG18fC2
Sonam Wangchuk will return to Jantar Mantar to continue his protest, says CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke
Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke says Sonam Wangchuk will continue his hunger strike and once he is released he will return to Jantar Mantar
'Peaceful dissent deserves engagement': Mamata Banerjee attacks Centre over Wangchuk action
West Bengal former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee slammed Centre over the action against climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, alleging that the government was suppressing peaceful protests instead of engaging in dialogue. In a post shared on X, Banerjee expressed concern over Wangchuk's health, saying, "Deeply concerned about Sonam Wangchuk's health and well-being. He asked only for dialogue, yet his appeal has been met with silence for weeks. In a democracy, peaceful dissent deserves engagement, not silence."
Banerjee alleged that Wangchuk's voice had been ignored. "His voice has been ignored, just as the voices of countless young Indians continue to be ignored," she said. She also demanded that Wangchuk be allowed to shift to a private hospital, saying citizens should be free to bear the cost if required.
Safdarjung Hospital deserted; doctors, staff have limited access
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is in Safdarjung Hospital, has been kept on the 8th floor of the New Emergency Block (NEB). Sources told The Indian Express that the doctors and hospital staff no longer have access to the 8th floor. They said that only a team of doctors assigned to Wangchuk is treating him as per the directions of the Delhi High Court.
The ground floor of the New Emergency block, which generally used to be crowded with patients and their attendants, is mostly empty. The hospital security staff are verifying every person before letting them entry.
Photo 1: The picture shows police personnel deployed inside Safdarjung Hospital. The hospital staff and doctors have limited access to the 8th floor where Sonam Wanhchuk is admitted.
Photo 2: Barricaded triage area on the ground floor of the New Emergency Block.
'Govt repeatedly demonstrated contempt for Constitution': Congress on Wangchuk's detention
Congress leader Pawan Khera on Saturday said the government's move to shift Sonam Wangchuk to hospital sends a chilling message. Hitting out at the government, the Congress leader said that the government has repeatedly demonstrated its contempt for the Constitution.
"From dragging away women wrestlers to manhandling ex-servicemen, this government has repeatedly demonstrated its contempt for the Constitution. Today's actions lay bare this government's mindset: peaceful protest is not a fundamental democratic right to be protected, but a law-and-order problem to be crushed," he said. "It is a shame that the world’s largest democracy is being ‘ruled’ by the most undemocratic and anti-democratic political party of the world."
Akhilesh slams govt on Wangchuk's 'forceful' removal from Jantar Mantar
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday condemned the 'forceful' removal of activist Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar site. The SP leader also demanded that the medical care given to Sonam Wangchuk should be conducted under 'judicial oversight'.
"The removal of Sonam Wangchuk from his indefinite fast site through the use of 'force' is an utterly reprehensible development. This incident, which occurred this morning, has already spread across the entire country and the whole world in a short span of time. The entire world and the nation are deeply concerned about Shri Sonam Wangchuk Ji, and there is also widespread outrage against the BJP government," Akhilesh said in a social media post. "This is our firm demand that Sonam Wangchuk Ji's medical care be conducted under 'judicial oversight' because Shri Sonam Wangchuk Ji's life is invaluable for humanity, environmental protection, democratic values, the inspiration of youthful energy, science, and innovation," he added.
Commotion, chaos at Jantar Mantar as police shift Wangchuk to hospital
Chaotic scenes unfolded at Jantar Mantar early Saturday after Delhi Police shifted Sonam Wangchuk to hospital, triggering protests from supporters who tried to stop the move. As police personnel reached the protest site in the morning, protesters rushed towards the stage, with many joining hands to form a human chain in an attempt to prevent officials from taking Wangchuk away. "They came early in the morning in civil dress. When we asked who they were, they first said they were doctors. Later, they told us they had a High Court order to shift Sonam Wangchuk to the hospital. We requested them to wait until his vital checks were completed but they entered and took him away," a protester said, according to PTI.
'Mild dehydration, fully alert': Safdarjung doctor on Sonam Wangchuk's health
Charu Bamba, Medical Superintendent of the Safdarjung Hospital, said Sonam Wangchuk has mild dehydration and his vital signs are stable. Talking to reporters, she said, "Sonam Wangchuk was brought to our hospital today at around 7. 40 AM. Due to the prolonged fast, he is feeling a little weak and has mild dehydration. We are continuously monitoring all his vital parameters. His blood tests have been conducted, and they indicate mild dehydration. We are providing the required treatment for that. He is fully alert, and his vital signs are stable.”
VIDEO | Delhi: Charu Bamba, Medical Superintendent, Safdarjung Hospital, briefs media about Sonam Wangchuk’s health.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 18, 2026
She says, “Sonam Wangchuk was brought to our hospital today at around 7. 40 AM. Due to the prolonged fast, he is feeling a little weak and has mild dehydration.… pic.twitter.com/3jGlduv1lo
Gitanjali Angmo says 'not allowed to take phone inside hospital room'
Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of Sonam Wangchuk, alleged on Saturday that she was not allowed to take her phone inside the hospital room. In a video shared by the Cockroach Janta Party, Wangchuk can be heard saying, "Why are you not letting me take my phone up?...I need a physical copy of the (order)."
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsPeak Dictatorship Happening At Safdarjung Hospital By Govt
— Cockroach is Back (@Cockroachisback) July 18, 2026
Sonam sir’s wife is not allowed to take her phone inside hospital room. His medical reports are not shared with the family. No personal lawyers or doctors are allowed to meet pic.twitter.com/Xj61IMUBwR
'PM changed Delhi Police Commissioner to arrest Sonam Wangchuk,' claims AAP's Sanjay Singh
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Saturday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi changed the Delhi Police Commissioner to facilitate Sonam Wangchuk's arrest ahead of his proposed march to Parliament on July 20. Singh said Wangchuk was on a 21-day hunger strike while raising the voice of millions of youths affected by alleged paper leaks.
"59-year-old Sonam Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for the last 21 days. He is putting his life on the line and raising the voice of millions of young people in the country. The voice of those youth who were ruined by the 93 paper leaks, who were helpless, and had no one to raise their voice," he said.
"The Prime Minister knew that this voice would become very loud. Therefore, he changed the Delhi Police Commissioner and appointed a police commissioner who could arrest Sonam Wangchuk. He was forcibly removed from Jantar Mantar and admitted to the hospital... He had called upon the youth, MPs and MLAs to gather at Jantar Mantar on the 20th and march towards Parliament," Singh added.
जुल्मी जब जब जुल्म करेगा सत्ता के गलियारों से, चप्पा चप्पा गूंज उठेगा इंकलाब के नारों से।@Wangchuk66 ज़िंदाबाद, युवा शक्ति ज़िंदाबाद। pic.twitter.com/dcl8cHMeqM
— Sanjay Singh AAP (@SanjayAzadSln) July 18, 2026
'Stable but requires continuous monitoring': Safdarjung Hospital on Wangchuk's health
Activist Sonam Wangchuk remains stable but requires continuous observation, monitoring and treatment to restore his body parameters, Safdarjung Hospital said on Saturday. According to the hospital, Wangchuk is "weak due to prolonged fasting and dehydration".
"Sonam Wangchuck has been admitted to Safdarjung Hospital for the required health care. He is weak due to prolonged fasting and dehydration. Although he is currently stable, he requires continuous observation, monitoring and treatment to restore his body parameters," ANI cited Safdarjung Hospital authorities as saying.
Pawar slams govt over 'irresponsible' handling of Wangchuk's hunger strike
NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Saturday slammed the Centre for its "irresponsible" handling of activist Sonam Wangchuk’s agitation, claiming the government remained a bystander rather than addressing the genuine demands of students.
CPI(M)'s M A Baby condemns police action against Wangchuk
CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby condemned the police action against activist Sonam Wangchuk and CJP founder Abhijit Dipke, accusing the government of suppressing peaceful protests. In a social media post, Baby slammed the government for not acting against the alleged paper leaks. "Strongly condemn the detention of Sonam Wangchuk and Abhijeet Dipke by Delhi Police. Instead of sacking the Education Minister under whose nose the scandalous leak of papers happened and dismantling the system that continues to ruin the future of lakhs of students, the government is coming down with a heavy hand on peaceful protesters," Baby said in the post.
In Photos: Jantar Mantar protest site after Sonam Wangchuk is shifted to Safdarjung Hospital
Activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted by Delhi Police to Safdarjung Hospital from the Jantar Mantar protest site earlier today. Police, however, said Wangchuk was shifted for "essential medical care" and appealed to protesters to peacefully vacate the site. (Photo credits: Praveen Khanna)
'Allowed to go to Jantar Mantar after Wangchuk was taken away': Abhijeet Dipke
Cockroach Janta Party leader Abhijeet Dipke has claimed that he was stopped from reaching the Jantar Mantar site by the Delhi Police. "I was dragged on the street. I was beaten up by the police. Once they lifted up Sonam Sir from here, that is when the police said that now you can go. We are going to continue the protest," Dipke said.
VIDEO | Delhi: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke says, "...Police allowed me to go to Jantar Mantar only after Sonam Wangchuk was taken away."#sonamwangchuck pic.twitter.com/37Ry7ybNdZ
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 18, 2026
In Photo: Heavy policy presence outside Safdarjung Hospital where Sonam Wangchuk is admitted
The security outside the Safdarjung Hospital was beefed up after activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital early on Saturday. (Express photo by Gajendra Yadav)
'Nothing should be administered to Wangchuk without my consent': Gitanjali Angmo
Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, urged doctors at the Safdarjung Hospital not to administer any oral or intravenous treatment to her husband without the consent of his family and the medical team monitoring his health during the hunger strike. In a social media post, Angmo said, "I am at Safdarjung hospital in Delhi where @Wangchuk66 has been admitted. Nothing should be administered to him orally or intravenous without taking consent from me, his family and his doctors who have been monitoring his health for the past 20 days."
I am at Safdarjung hospital in Delhi where @Wangchuk66 has been admitted. Nothing should be administered to him orally or intravenous without take consent from me, his family and his doctors who have been monitoring his health for the past 20 days.
— Gitanjali J Angmo (@GitanjaliAngmo) July 18, 2026
CJP says govt 'forcefully abducted' Sonam Wangchuk
The Cockroach Janta Party has alleged that the government "forcefully abducted" Sonam Wangchuk without his consent. In the video, Wangchuk can been purportedly heard rejecting doctors' suggestions to admit him to the hospital. "Sonam Sir’s Reaction on Hospitalisation. Yesterday, when government doctors tried to hospitalise him, this was Sonam Sir’s reaction. The government has forcefully abducted Sonam Sir without his or his family’s consent," the social media post read.
Sonam Sir’s Reaction on Hospitalisation.
— Cockroach is Back (@Cockroachisback) July 18, 2026
Yesterday, when government doctors tried to hospitalise him, this was Sonam Sir’s reaction.
The government has forcefully abducted Sonam Sir without his or his family’s consent. pic.twitter.com/ZLTvT0g0oe
How Sonam Wangchuk was removed from Jantar Mantar site
At 3 am on Saturday—almost four hours before Sonam Wangchuk was removed from the Jantar Mantar protest site by Delhi Police—all personnel of the New Delhi district police assembled at the spot for what they were told was a security drill in Parliament before the Monsoon Session, sources said. They were then taken to the Mandir Marg police station, where they were informed that Wangchuk would be removed from Jantar Mantar within “30 seconds”. Then, minutes before Wangchuk’s removal, the police installed a phone jammer in the area. Around 6.30 am, they quickly placed a white curtain across the stage and removed Wangchuk—before anyone could see what was going on behind the curtain, sources added. Read full story
Security beefed up at Safdarjung Hospital
The security has been beefed up at the Safdarjung Hospital in the capital where activist Sonam Wangchuk has been admitted. Officials told The Indian Express that Wangchuk has been admitted on the 8th floor and entry beyond the 6th floor has been prohibited. Meanwhile, a heavy police deployment can be seen outside the hospital. (Photo credits: Renuka Puri)
AAP's Manish Sisodia slams govt after Sonam Wangchuk hospitalised
AAP leader Manish Sisodia hit out at the government after Sonam Wangchuk was taken away from the Jantar Mantar protest site. In a social media post, Sisodia said, "This isn't politics, it's cowardice." "So, this is the solution Modi ji has given for paper leaks... Beat up with goons whoever raises their voice against paper leaks and don't let them raise their voice at all," the AAP leader questioned.
तो पेपर लीक का ये समाधान दिया है मोदी जी आपने… पेपर लीक के ख़िलाफ़ जो आवाज़ उठाए उसे गुंडे भेजकर पिटवाओ और आवाज़ उठाने ही मत दो।
— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) July 18, 2026
ये राजनीति नहीं कायरता है।
ग़ज़ब का गुंडाराज है.. https://t.co/F16fVYikZU
Delhi Police denies CJP's 'lathi charge, detentions' claims
Delhi Police on Saturday rubbished the Cockroach Janta Party's claims that protestors were detained and lathicharged at Jantar Mantar. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), New Delhi, Sachin Sharma told ANI that no lathi charge was carried out against the protesters and that no one was detained. "In accordance with the Hon'ble High Court's order and considering his health condition and expert medical advice, Sonam Wangchuk has been shifted to a government hospital for treatment. There has been absolutely no lathi charge or anything of that sort," Sharma told ANI.
Sonam Wangchuk shifted to hospital: A recap of what happened
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 21 days, was shifted to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital earlier today. A recap of what happened so far:
Sonam Wangchuk conscious, vitals stable after being shifted to Safdarjung Hospital
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital in the capital after being removed from the Jantar Mantar protest site on Saturday, is conscious and his vital parameters are stable, ANI reported citing sources. The report said Wangchuk was admitted to the emergency ward of the Safdarjung Hospital and is under medical supervision.
Sonam Wangchuk shifted to Safdarjung Hospital, says wife Gitanjali J Angmo
Sonam Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali J Angmo on Saturday said the activist, who was on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, was shifted to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital. The remark comes after the Cockroach Janta Party expressed concerns over Wangchuk's safety and claimed that he was taken to an "unknown location" by the Delhi Police personnel.
Wangchuk taken to unknown location, seriously doubt about his safety: Saurav Das
After Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to a hospital by Delhi Police, Cockroach Janta Party leader Saurav Das claimed the activist was "taken to an unknown location". The CJP leader expressed concerns over Wangchuk's safety and demanded that Delhi Police must "immediately tell us where is Sonam!?"
Sonam Wangchuk has been taken to an unknown location. We seriously doubt about his safety. @CPDelhi must immediately tell us where is Sonam!?
— Saurav Das (@SauravDassss) July 18, 2026
CJP leader Saurav Das claims Wangchuk 'forcefully picked', shared video
Cockroach Janta Party leader Saurav Das on Saturday posted a video claiming that Sonam Wangchuk was picked forcefully by Delhi Police personnel. The video, posted by CJP, showed Delhi Police personnel entering the protest site at Jantar Mantar to shift Wangchuk to hospital.
🚨Delhi Police has picked up Sonam Wangchuk forcefully! WATCH! pic.twitter.com/AlSSRf77vS
— Saurav Das (@SauravDassss) July 18, 2026
'Beaten up, put under detention by Delhi Police': CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke
Cockroach Janta Party leader Abhijeet Dipke said in a social media post that he has been "beaten up and put under detention" by Delhi Police personnel. In a previous social media post, Saurav Das had claimed that the Delhi Police "stopped Abhijeet Dipke where he was staying."
I have been beaten up and put under detention by Delhi Police— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) July 18, 2026
Sonam Wangchuk taken to hospital for 'essential medical care': Delhi Police
Moments after Sonam Wangchuk was taken to hospital, Delhi Police said the activist was taken to hospital for "essential medical care". The police also urged protestors at Jantar Mantar to "vacate the place at the earliest".
"As per orders of Hon’ble High Court and on expert medical advise due to the deteriorating health condition of Sh. Sonam Wangchuk, he has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care. While complying with the orders of Hon’ble High Court the protestors tried to create obstruction, in which slight commotion ensued, however police took maximum restrain and undertook the exercise safely. We request the protestors at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest," Delhi Police said in a social media post.
Sonam Wangchuk taken to hospital: What we know so far
Activist Sonam Wangchuk was taken to a hospital from Jantar Mantar protest site on Saturday morning. Sources told The Indian Express that Wangchuk was taken to capital's Safdarjung Hospital. Meanwhile, Cockroach Janta Party leader Saurav Das confirmed the developments and said Abhijeet Dipke was detained from the place he was staying at.
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