New Delhi, 18th July 2026: Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk was admitted to a Delhi hospital on Saturday morning after his health deteriorated during a 20-day hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. Wangchuk has been demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak case.
His removal from the protest site led to chaos at Jantar Mantar, with demonstrators accusing the Centre of using Delhi Police to suppress a peaceful protest.
According to protesters, Delhi Police forcibly removed Wangchuk from the protest venue and pushed several demonstrators while shifting him to the hospital. They also claimed that some students sustained injuries during the operation.
Following the incident, protesters raised slogans against the Central government and criticised the police action.
Abhijeet Deepke of the Cockroach Janata Party alleged that the police acted with unnecessary force and prevented protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar. He said the government was trying to silence a peaceful movement and appealed to people across the country to continue democratic protests against what he described as authoritarian actions.
Delhi Police rejected allegations of wrongdoing and said Wangchuk was shifted only after his health condition worsened. Officials stated that the Delhi High Court had directed authorities to ensure immediate medical treatment if his condition deteriorated.
Acting on the advice of a medical team and in accordance with the court's directions, police transported Wangchuk to the hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment under medical supervision.
