AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal appealed to citizens to join the ongoing 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, Mr. Kejriwal said Mr. Wangchuk and Mr. Dipke were not on hunger strike for themselves but for students across the country.

- PTI

Political and civil society leaders in Himachal Pradesh condemned the government’s interruption of climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike by shifting him to a hospital, terming the move “insensitive”.

They said the activist’s fast should have ended with a dialogue with the government but instead, he was shifted to a hospital without a solution being offered.

Mr. Wangchuk’s supporters, consisting of hundreds of youths, women, retired government officials and civil society members, had observed a one-day symbolic fast in Himachal Pradesh’s Solan on Friday following a call given by city-based organisation Jagruk Yuva Sangathan.

The protesters, who had earlier decided to hold a massive demonstration in Solan on July 20, the day of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) scheduled march to Parliament, said they would meet to decide their future course of action on Monday.

- PTI

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and its protesters alleged on Saturday (July 18, 2026) that there had been a police crackdown on them. They stated that they had not been informed of the whereabouts of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was forcibly removed by the Delhi Police from the Jantar Mantar protest site.

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Former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee expressed concern over Sonam Wangchuk’s health and well-being, saying “He asked only for dialogue, yet his appeal has been met with silence for weeks. In a democracy, peaceful dissent deserves engagement, not silence.”

“He should be allowed to be shifted to a private hospital, with citizens free to bear the cost if needed. Public trust is earned through transparency, accountability, and respect for democratic rights - not by suppressing peaceful protests or refusing dialogue,” she added. 

Chaos further ensued at the Jantar Mantar protest site after a woman was seen throwing ink at the Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke

Two youths have been apprehended here for “damaging” a public wall by painting a picture of activist Sonam Wangchuk, a police official said on Saturday.

Another picture of Wangchuk was drawn on a pillar of the Basistha flyover in the city two days ago, and police are trying to identify those responsible for it, he said. “Last night, our patrol party found two youths trying to damage a public wall on the road leading to the Jyoti-Bishnu International Auditorium. They had smeared colours on the wall and admitted that they were painting a picture of Sonam Wangchuk, which was partially completed,” the official said.

The duo were apprehended and brought to Dispur police station, where a case has been registered. “They will be allowed to go after a notice is served,” the official said.

- PTI

Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, said that, “the High Court order never mandated hospitalisation. It simply stated that an individual’s health is paramount and must be monitored at regular intervals; it did not order hospitalisation. So, this is not in accordance with the High Court order. No treatment is underway right now.”

Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali J. Angmo has written to the Safdarjung Hospital asking for the activist to be shifted to a medical centre of their choice as the “lack of transparency has shaken their trust.”

In her letter, Ms. Angmo demanded that the hospital provide digital and physical health reports of Mr. Wangchuk. 

Read the full letter below:

- Vijaita Singh

Speaking to the media, DCP New Delhi, Sachin Sharma alleged that there was some obstruction by protesters when doctors arrived today morning for the daily scheduled medical examination of Sonam Wangchuk. 

“This created some commotion, also considering the delicate health condition of Wangchuk and on medical advice, he was taken to Safdarjung Hospital for medical examination and further intervention as required. Further, doctors have examined and assessed the health condition of Wangchuk, where they have opined that due to prolonged fasting, he is weak and has signs of dehydration. He is under observation,” he added. 

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Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray criticised the removal of activist Sonam Wangchuk from his protest site in Delhi, saying that the world is watching democracy being broken by force in the country, where even peaceful protests are no longer tolerated.

Speaking to the media after the forced removal of Sonam Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site, his wife Gitanjali Angmo said that if Mr. Wangchuk won’t be able to join the protest march on July 20, she will lead the same. 

“Just yesterday evening, doctors from Safdarjung Hospital had checked him, and all his vitals were normal. But now they’re telling us his potassium has dropped and it’s life-threatening. But when we asked to see the report, they are not giving it to us,” she alleged. 

In a post on X, Congress chief Khare condemned the forced removal of Sonam Wangchuk as a “black stain on democracy and the Constitution.”

Recalling previous protests, Mr. Kharge said “ Whether it’s Prof. GD Agrawal, who sat on a fast unto death for 111 days to save Mother Ganga, or the Olympic wrestler from Haryana, whether it’s our 750 farmer providers, Dalits and Adivasis, or the 25 children sacrificed to the paper leak and their families, this tyrannical government has spared no one… In their eyes, anyone who raises their voice is an “Anti-National,” a “parasite”!”

“What happened this morning with Sonam Wangchuk was an act of bulldozing democratic and constitutional values. This is done directly under the direction of Home Minister Amit Shah,” said CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat who is present at the Jantar Mantar protest site:

Reacting to Delhi police’s forced removal of activist Sonam Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site, Congress’ Pawan Khera said, “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.”

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav condemned the forced removal of activist Sonam Wangchuk by the Delhi police from the Jantar Mantar protest site. 

“This undesirable action by the repressive BJP government has severely tarnished and fragmented our country’s humanitarian and democratic image on an international level ... The BJP’s mindset is divisive; that is why wherever there is unity, harmony, and solidarity, the BJP, out of fear, reacts as a reactionary and disperses the movements. But the BJP has forgotten that today’s new generation is capable of bringing about an ideological revolution through ‘Digital Unity’. It has happened, it is happening, and it will happen again…” he said in a post on X:

A meeting of senior Delhi Police officers was held at the DCP Office in New Delhi to review the law and order situation following the forced removal of activist Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital.

Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Devesh Chandra Srivastava chaired the meeting and took stock of the operation to shift Mr. Wangchuk to the hospital. He also reviewed the prevailing situation at Jantar Mantar and assessed the overall law and order arrangements in the area.

The meeting was attended by Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi Range) Deepak Purohit, DCP (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma, Additional DCP Anand Mishra, DCP (Special Cell) Manishi Chandra, and several other senior IPS officers.

- ANI

Posting visuals from inside the Safdarjung Hospital, the Cockroach Janta Party alleged that Sonam Wangchuk’s medical reports are not being shared with the family. “No personal lawyers or doctors are allowed to meet [him]”

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“Sonam Wangchuk is somewhat weak due to prolonged fasting and is experiencing mild dehydration; otherwise, all his vital parameters are stable. He is being continuously examined and monitored, and his treatment is underway. He is fully alert and stable,” said Dr Charu Bamba, Medical Superintendent, Safdarjung Hospital. 

Visuals from the Jantar Mantar protest site showed Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke breaking down in tears, shortly after police forcibly removed activist Sonam Wangchuk from the protest site. 

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Activists from the U.S.-based advocacy groups gathered to express solidarity with Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike in New Delhi over alleged irregularities in the examination system, including the NEET.

Activists from the Hindus for Human Rights and the Azadi Project gathered at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi near the Indian Embassy in Washington on Friday evening with placards carrying slogans in support of Mr. Wangchuk.

The activists also raised slogans against the Indian government and demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

- PTI

Security was stepped up in and around Jantar Mantar, across parts of the New Delhi district and at Safdarjung Hospital, where activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted on Saturday (July 18, 2026) after his health deteriorated during his 20-day hunger strike, officials said.

There was a brief commotion during the early morning action at the Jantar Mantar protest site, with police claiming that some protesters attempted to obstruct the exercise.

Heavy deployment of police personnel and paramilitary forces was made at the protest site in the heart of Delhi and nearby areas to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident, they said.

Barricades were erected and security personnel positioned at key points to regulate the movement of protesters and visitors.

- PTI

Delhi police has deployed several personnel at the Safdarjung Hospital where Sonam Wangchuk has been forcefully shifted to. 

NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Saturday (July 18, 2026) 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.

Speaking to reporters in Baramati, Pawar asserted that while the government moved to hospitalise Mr. Wangchuk as the situation became “uncontrollable”, the protest would continue regardless of the action against the activist.

“The Centre didn’t handle the situation carefully, and it impacted the future of several students. The government remained a bystander as other political parties came to support him (Wangchuk). Leaders from Congress, NCP (SP), including Supriya Sule and many others, paid a visit there (Jantar Mantar) and raised a common demand,” Mr. Pawar said.

- PTI

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday (July 18, 2026) strongly criticised the shifting of activist Sonam Wangchuk to a hospital by Delhi Police, alleging use of force against protesters and appealing to students to continue supporting his agitation.

Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh alleged that Mr. Wangchuk, who had been on an indefinite fast for 21 days, was forcibly shifted to a hospital instead of his demands being addressed.

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Condemning the police forcibly shifting activist Sonam Wangchuk to the hospital, former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said that “Instead of picking him [Mr. Wangchuk] up forcefully, the Modi government should have spoken to him.”

“This arrogance is wrong,” Mr. Kejriwal said on X, adding: “Instead of crushing the Cockroach [Janta Party] movement, improve the country’s education system. Coercion of Sonam Wangchuk is the defeat of the Modi government.”

- Aroon Deep

As Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke began an indefinite hunger strike, he urged supporters to gather at the Jantar Mantar protest site. 

“They have made a grave mistake... I urge everyone to come to Jantar Mantar; our movement will continue from here, and we will proceed with our march scheduled for July 20th,” he said. 

Three students from the CPI(ML) Liberation’s All India Students’ Association (AISA) - Neha, Aameen and Manish - remain at Jantar Mantar and will continue their fast for the 21st day, N. Sai Balaji, former AISA president said on Saturday (July 18, 2026).

-Aroon Deep

After the Delhi Police shifted activist Sonam Wangchuk to the Safdarjung Hospital, his wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, said on Saturday (July 18, 2026) that no medical treatment should be administered to the activist without her consent.

Ms. Angmo confirmed that Mr. Wangchuk has been admitted to the Safdarjung Hospital.

Sonam Wangchuck has been admitted at Safdarjung hospital for required health care. He is weak due to prolonged fasting and dehydration, the Safdarjung hospital said on Saturday (July 18, 2026). 

Mr. Wangchuk was forcefully shifted to the hospital by the Delhi Police. He was on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG paper leak controversy.

“Although he is currently stable, he requires continuous observation, monitoring and treatment to restore his body parameters,” the hospital said.

Cockroach Janta Party Abhijeet Dipke on Saturday (July 18, 2026) announced he would begin an indefinite hunger strike ‘right now’.

Mr. Dipke addressed students at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and lashed out at the Delhi Police and the BJP government for forcefully shifting Sonam Wangchuk to Safdarjung hospital. 

He was earlier under detention by the Delhi Police and was stopped from reaching the protest site. 

-Aroon Deep

Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary M.A. Baby condemned ‘the detention of Sonam Wangchuk and Abhijeet Dipke by the 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,” he said in a post on X on Saturday (July 18).

The Cockroach Janta Party questioned the Delhi Police DCP on how he decided Sonam Wangchuk’s health has deteriorated. 

The party in a post on X replied to a tweet by Delhi Police DCP and said Mr. Wangchuk was monitored last evening by ‘your government doctors who advised nothing but monitoring his health’.

“Did you check his vitals in the morning before whisking him away?” the CJP questioned.

Mr. Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, was shifted to Safdarjung hospital on Saturday morning by the Delhi Police citing his deteriorating health condition. 

Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali J. Angmo said she was at the Safdarjung hospital in Delhi where the activist has been admitted after being shifted by the Delhi Police. 

Mr. Wangchuk was on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar for the past 20 days. 

“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,” Ms. Gitanjali said in a post on X. 

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Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke addressed protesters at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, where activist Sonam Wangchuk and several students were on a hunger strike to demand Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. 

“This antic by the RSS goons, of carrying Sonam-ji out... if they think this will end the protest, it won’t. We will stay right here. And we will march to Parliament from right here on July 20,” Mr. Dipke told the students. 

“Till date, we were seeking Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation for the children who died due to NEET. But after the despicable behaviour shown today, we will now demand Narendra Modi’s resignation,” Mr. Dipke added. 

-Aroon Deep

Cockroach Janta Party spokesperson Saurav Das urged protesters who are being turned away at the Jantar Mantar protest site to stay put where they are. 

“We appeal to them to sit-in right where they are being stopped,” he said on X. “We will protest inside, you continue the protest outside peacefully.”

-Aroon Deep

Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav lashed out at the BJP government over Sonam Wangchuk’s removal from Jantar Mantar. 

In a post on X, Ms. Yadav said, “The BJP is coming with a white shroud for the country. When peaceful voices are suppressed, so are the Constitution and democracy. Suppressing people like Sonam Wangchuk is suppressing the soul of the nation.”

Ms. Yadav had met Mr. Wangchuk -- who was on a hunger strike in Delhi -- on Thursday (July 16).

-Aroon Deep

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was shifted to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital after being removed from the Jantar Mantar protest site on Saturday (July 18, 2026), is conscious and his vital parameters are stable, sources said.

According to sources, Mr. Wangchuk has been admitted to the emergency ward of the Safdarjung Hospital and is under medical supervision.

Meanwhile, protesters are being removed from the Jantar Mantar protest site by Delhi Police. 

A heavy deployment of Delhi Police personnel was seen at the protest site as protesters were asked to vacate the area.

-ANI

The Cockroach Janta Party accused the Delhi Police of forcefully kidnapping activist Sonam Wangchuk, whose indefinite hunger strike entered day 21 on Saturday (July 18, 2026). 

“Sonam Wangchuk was peacefully protesting in a Gandhian way in Gandhi’s land. But Dharmendra Pradhan the Minister whose actions led to 20+ students dying - he can enjoy the good life!,” the CJP said in a post on X.

Mr. Wangchuk and three students were on a hunger strike demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the alleged paper leak of NEET-UG exams. 

“We need to send a message that the people won’t accept this kind of dictatorship,” Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke said in a video on X calling for nationwide protests after being released from detention. 

Mr. Dipke said he and others are being prevented from entering Jantar Mantar, where activist Sonam Wangchuk and three students were on a hunger strike.

-Aroon Deep

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that he was beaten up and is now under detention by the Delhi Police. 

Mr. Dipke was earlier stopped by the police from returning to the protest site. 

Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, was shifted to the hospital by the Delhi Police citing his deteriorating health condition.

“Let me prove that my brain is still fine,” Sonam Wangchuk had said in a video posted at midnight. 

Mr. Wangchuk said he has lost nearly 20% of his body during his indefinite hunger strike but remained resolute, asserting that if governments could fall over rising onion prices, seeking accountability for students could also bring political change.

“I ask you -- do the people of India love their children’s lives and education more, or onions?” he said, before recalling that governments had fallen in the past over public anger triggered by soaring onion prices.

Cockroach Janta Party spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said all roads to Jantar Mantar have been blocked off. In a post on X, Mr. Ranka accused the Delhi Police of showing ‘its true colours’. 

“We appeal to the people to take the streets and protest peacefully. We don’t know where Sonam Wangchuk has been taken,” he said.

Multiple Supreme Court judgments and orders highlight the state’s paternalistic duty of care to preserve the life of a person on a hunger strike without disrupting his right to dissent.

A series of orders of a Supreme Court Bench headed by Justice Surya Kant, currently the Chief Justice of India, have similarly stressed the constitutional duty and responsibility of the state to ensure that no harm is caused to the life of a person on an indefinite fast.

Here’s the news analysis

Heavy police deployment at Jantar Mantar after Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was on indefinite hunger strike for the last 20 days, was taken to Safdarjung Hospital.

New Delhi DCP’s office on Saturday (July 18, 2026) said that Sonam Wangchuk has been shifted to the hospital for ‘essential medical care’ as per the orders of the Delhi High Court and on expert medical advise due to his deteriorating health condition. 

“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,” the DCP said in a post on X.

The DCP added that Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke is under detention.

Cockroach Janta Party spokesperson Saurav Das accused the Delhi Police of climbing the dais at Jantar Mantar and covering activist Sonam Wangchuk from view as his hunger strike entered day 21. 

Mr. Das also said the party’s founder Abhijeet Dipke has been prevented from leaving Jhandewalan and returning to the protest site.

Visuals from the protest site show activist Sonam Wangchuk being escorted by Delhi Police down from the dais. Police announced Mr. Wangchuk is being taken to the hospital.

Cockroach Janta Party spokesperson Saurav Das accused the Delhi Police of climbing the dais at Jantar Mantar and covering activist Sonam Wangchuk from view as his hunger strike entered day 21. 

Mr. Das also said the party’s founder Abhijeet Dipke has been prevented from leaving Jhandewalan and returning to the protest site and students were being lathi-charged.