Sonam Wangchuk Hunger Strike: Reasons, CJP Demands & Latest Updates

Activist Sonam Wangchuk Forcibly Taken to Hospital After 20-Day Hunger Strike

In a dramatic early-morning swoop on Saturday, 18 July 2026, Indian activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly removed from his protest site at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and taken to Safdarjung Hospital. The 59-year-old had been on an indefinite hunger strike for the past 20 days, consuming only salt and water, in solidarity with the satirical online movement Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).

The protesters are demanding the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak that forced the cancellation of the medical entrance exam in early May. Wangchuk had lost more than 9 kg and was in considerable pain before today’s removal.

Figure 1: Sonam Wangchuk during his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, demanding education reforms. (Source: Getty Images)

The Hunger Strike and the Forcible Removal

Wangchuk had been lying on a stage at Jantar Mantar, a historic astronomical observatory turned protest venue, since late June 2026. Despite repeated appeals from supporters and a Delhi High Court order urging health monitoring, he refused to end his fast until the government engaged with the protesters’ demands.

At approximately 7:30 AM on 18 July, dozens of police and paramilitary personnel surrounded the stage. Videos from the site show the officers covering Wangchuk with bedsheets before carrying him away. Protesters who attempted to intervene were pushed back. Moments later, an ambulance sped off towards Safdarjung Hospital.

Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, later posted on X (formerly Twitter) that she was “at Safdarjung hospital where he has been admitted” and insisted that no treatment be administered without family consent. Dr. Charu Bamba, Medical Superintendent of Safdarjung Hospital, confirmed that Wangchuk was “fully alert and stable” but weak and mildly dehydrated.

Who Is Sonam Wangchuk?

Sonam Wangchuk is a renowned engineer, innovator, and education reformist from Ladakh. He inspired the character of Phunsukh Wangdu in the Bollywood film 3 Idiots. Known for his work on eco-friendly solutions and educational reforms, Wangchuk has previously undertaken hunger strikes to demand autonomy and environmental protection for Ladakh.

His participation in the CJP agitation brought national attention to the issue of exam paper leaks, a recurring problem that has affected millions of students across India.

Figure 2: CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, who has now taken over the indefinite hunger strike in Wangchuk’s place. (Source: Getty Images)

The Cockroach Janta Party and Education Reforms

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) began in May 2026 as an online satirical movement lampooning the government’s handling of examination irregularities. Its supporters, self-identified as “cockroaches,” demand systemic reforms to prevent paper leaks in high-stakes exams like NEET-UG, JEE, and others.

The movement gained momentum after the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, which led to the cancellation of the exam for aspiring medical students. The protesters have demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, arguing that he must take moral responsibility for the repeated failures of the examination system.

Delhi High Court Order and Hospitalisation

On Thursday, 17 July 2026, the Delhi High Court directed the federal government to “regularly monitor the health” of Sonam Wangchuk and provide necessary medical treatment. Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma later stated that the removal was carried out “in compliance with [the court] order, and based on health conditions and medical advice.”

While Wangchuk’s supporters have accused the authorities of using the court order as a pretext to break the protest, police maintain that the intervention was essential to prevent further deterioration of his health. Wangchuk had reportedly lost over 9 kg and was showing signs of severe weakness and dehydration.

What’s Next? March to Parliament and Dipke’s Fast

With Wangchuk hospitalised, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has taken over the indefinite hunger strike. Dipke confirmed that the planned march to the Indian Parliament on 20 July 2026 will go ahead as scheduled. “If they think that taking Wangchuk away will end this movement, they are mistaken,” he said.

Dipke has also expanded the protesters’ demands, now calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in addition to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The move signals an escalation in the standoff between the agitators and the government.

Reactions and Political Fallout

The forced removal of Sonam Wangchuk drew sharp criticism from opposition parties and civil society organisations. Several Members of Parliament described the police action as “shocking coercive state violence” and “an assault on democracy.”

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who had visited Wangchuk on 16 July, reiterated his appeal for the government to listen to the students and the activist. “Every year, exam papers get leaked and youth pay the price. I appeal to the government to engage with the protesters,” he said.

The central government, however, has not yet formally engaged with the protesters. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had previously dismissed the CJP as “the B-team of disruptive elements,” while Prime Minister Modi’s administration has remained silent on the latest developments.