LIVE: Wangchuk refuses IV fluids; Rahul says core tenets of Modi govt ‘Asatya and Hinsa’
Woman hurls ink at CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, who is now on hunger strike; Wangchuk taken to Safdarjung Hospital after doctors advise intervention, claim police
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in the national capital, was shifted to a hospital on Saturday (July 18) after his health deteriorated on day 21 of his fast, Delhi Police said.
"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," the police said in a statement.
Also read: Wangchuk says lost 20 pc of body
The police also appealed to the protesters to end their agitation, saying, "We request the protestors at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest."
CJP founder 'under detention'
Soon after the police action, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijit Dipke alleged that the protesters were subjected to a police crackdown.
"I have been beaten up and put under detention by Delhi Police," Dipke said in a post on X.
In another post, he alleged that the police were beating protesters and forcibly taking Wangchuk away.
Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 in support of the CJP-led protest over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and the reported deaths of students linked to the controversy.
His health had shown a steady decline over the past three weeks. Doctors said he had lost nearly 9.5 kg since the beginning of the hunger strike, while his blood pressure and blood sugar levels had remained under close monitoring.
The Delhi High Court has been monitoring the medical condition of Wangchuk and has directed that his health be regularly assessed and that appropriate medical intervention be provided if required.
On Friday night, Wangchuk had said he was still determined to continue the fast despite his worsening condition, claiming he had "lost 20 per cent of my body" during the 20-day hunger strike. "Governments have fallen over the price of onions.
"I have lost 20 per cent of my body. It is time for this government to listen to the voice of the youth," he had said in a video message, while reiterating his support for the students' movement.
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Live Updates
- 18 July 2026 10:01 AM IST
Security tightened around Jantar Mantar after Sonam Wangchuk shifted to hospital
Security was stepped up in and around Jantar Mantar and across parts of the New Delhi district on Saturday after activist Sonam Wangchuk, whose health deteriorated during a 20-day hunger strike, was shifted to a hospital following a brief commotion during the exercise, police said.
Heavy deployment of Delhi Police personnel and paramilitary forces has been made at Jantar Mantar and nearby areas to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident, they said.
Barricades have been erected and security personnel positioned at key points to regulate the movement of protesters and visitors.
- 18 July 2026 9:59 AM IST
Dipke says he will start hunger strike
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has announced that he is starting a hunger strike.
- 18 July 2026 9:52 AM IST
CJP founder demands PM Modi's resignation
Founding President of the Cockroach Janta Party, Abhijeet Dipke, says, "If they think that taking Sonam Sir away will end this movement, they are mistaken. We will remain here, and will march to Parliament on July 20."
He further said, "Until now, we were demanding Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, but after this despicable act, we will now demand the resignation of Narendra Modi."
- 18 July 2026 9:22 AM IST
Government is under pressure: Congress
"Discontent is peaking, and taking him to the hospital by force will only fuel public outrage instead of suppressing it," says Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Wangchuk being removed from protest site and being hospitalised.
- 18 July 2026 9:11 AM IST
CJP founder: 'I have been beaten up and put under detention by Delhi Police'
Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke says he was "beaten up" and has been "put under detention" by Delhi Police.
- 18 July 2026 9:09 AM IST
Wangchuk's wife says no treatment should be administered without her consent
The Delhi Police has shifted Wangchuk to the Safdarjung Hospital, his wife Gitanjali J Angmo said on Saturday and asserted that no medical treatment should be administered to the activist without her consent.
Wangchuk was shifted from the Jantar Mantar protest site early Saturday, the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike.
"He is at Safdarjung Hospital. I forbid them from administering anything without my consent. No treatment should start without my consent. I hold everybody accountable if anything happens," Angmo told PTI.
Questioning the decision to hospitalise him, she claimed Wangchuk appeared fine on Friday.
"Yesterday, he was doing fine. There was no need to bring him to the hospital. It's my right under Article 32. Without my consent and my doctor's consent, nothing can be administered," she said.
