Published Jul 18, 2026 | 8:33 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 18, 2026 | 8:59 AM
Sonam Wangchuk. (Screengrab)
Synopsis: Activist Sonam Wangchuk, whose over 20-day fast demanding the resignation of the Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has drawn national and international attention, has been moved to the Safdarjung hospital by the Delhi police. He was shifted hours after an allegation that goons had targeted him minutes before midnight.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite fast for the past 20 days at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak, was shifted by the police to the Safdarjung hospital ‘for emergency care’ early on Saturday morning.
On Friday, Wangchuk’s doctors had termed his condition as worrisome and expressed fears that his organs could be failing.
The Delhi High Court on Thursday ordered daily monitoring of Wangchuk’s health, observing that the ‘life of any citizen is precious.’
Delhi Police said in its statement that while there was an attempt at pushback from the protestors who were with Wangchuk, they managed to move him safely.
‘While complying with the orders of the Hon’ble High Court, the protesters tried to create an obstruction, in which a slight commotion ensued. Police, however, exercised maximum restraint and undertook the exercise safely. We request the protesters at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest,’ the statement noted.
The protest at Jantar Mantar was launched by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), and the protestors plan to march to Parliament on July 20, the opening day of the Monsoon Session.
Its spokesperson, Saurav Das, initially posted on X at 2:03 am Saturday that the Delhi Police had stopped CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke where he was staying, and the students who had assembled in solidarity with Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar had been lathicharged. Nine minutes after this, Dipke posted on X that he had ‘been beaten up and put under detention by Delhi Police.’
The 59-year-old Wangchuk has lost over eight kilos during the fast.
Many opposition leaders, including Congress’ Pawan Khera, Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav, and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, met Wangchuk and requested him to end his fast. Famous actor Aamir Khan also made an appeal to Wangchuk from London, even as he clarified that his character in the film Three Idiots was not based on Wangchuk.
Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal had also appealed to Wangchuk to end the fast in a post on X.
“We share the anguish and outrage that Shri Wangchuk ji feels, especially due to the lack of accountability within the Modi Govt – for the collapse of the examination system in particular. In view of his health condition, we appeal to Shri Wangchuk to end his fast. His concerns are our concerns and those of other Opposition parties as well. Rest assured, we will continue to confront the Modi government and demand the Education Minister’s resignation,” Venugopal had posted.
Late Friday night, Abhijeet Dipke posted about an alleged attack by rowdy elements on Wangchuk.
‘Goons tried to attack Sonam sir at Jantar Mantar. An object was thrown at him, but fortunately, he was not hurt. A few days ago, I had warned that people would be sent to Jantar Mantar to disrupt the protest after I was informed by an insider in the police. If anything happens to Sonam sir, the government will be responsible as there’s clearly a plan to dismantle the peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar,’ Dipke posted.
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(Edited by R Rajesh Kumar.)
