Police Remove Hunger Striker Sonam Wangchuk From Delhi Site Under Court Health Order

Indian police and paramilitary officers removed activist Sonam Wangchuk from his protest site at Jantar Mantar in Delhi just before 07:30 local time on Saturday. Dozens of personnel covered the 59-year-old with bedsheet curtains before carrying him from the stage. An ambulance sped away minutes later.

Wangchuk had been consuming only salt and water for 20 days and had lost more than 9 kg. He had refused repeated calls to end the indefinite strike. The activist was protesting in support of the Cockroach Janta Party, an online movement seeking educational reforms including the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

A top police official stated the removal followed a Delhi High Court order issued Thursday and was based on health conditions and medical advice. Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma said Wangchuk had been moved to a government hospital for medical intervention and remained under supervision.

The Delhi High Court had directed the federal government to monitor Wangchuk's health regularly and provide treatment if needed.

Wangchuk had told supporters days earlier that he remained determined to join a planned Monday march to parliament, stating he had grown weak outwardly but stayed strong within. The Cockroach Janta Party began in May as an online satirical movement to protest against paper leaks and other irregularities in India's top exams.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said police prevented him from leaving a friend's house that morning and that he had not been told where Wangchuk was taken. The protesters are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after a key entrance exam for aspiring doctors was cancelled in early May following a paper leak.

Pradhan has dismissed the CJP and its supporters as "the B-team of disruptive elements".

The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not engaged with the protesters yet. On Thursday, former Delhi chief minister and leader of the Aam Aadmi Party Arvind Kejriwal visited Wangchuk and appealed to the government to engage with the protesters.