New Delhi, July 18, 2026

Growing concerns over activist Sonam Wangchuk's health have brought renewed attention to his prolonged hunger strike, with authorities stepping in after medical experts warned of his deteriorating condition. The development marks a significant turn in the ongoing protest, which has drawn political support and legal scrutiny while highlighting the balance between an individual's right to protest and the need for urgent medical care.

Delhi Police shifted Sonam Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday after he completed 20 days of fasting at Jantar Mantar. Police escorted him from the protest site for medical treatment, triggering protests and sloganeering by Cockroach Janata Party activists, who have been leading demonstrations against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The remaining protesters were also removed from the site following Wangchuk's transfer. The action came after the Delhi High Court, during a hearing on his worsening health, directed authorities to conduct daily clinical examinations, observing that "the life of any citizen is precious" and ordering regular medical monitoring along with any required medical intervention.

In a post on X, the DCP Delhi Police said, "As per orders of Hon’ble High Court and on expert medical advise due to the deteriorating health condition of Sh. Sonam Wangchuk, he has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care. 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." Medical updates issued over the past several days had consistently warned about Wangchuk's declining health, with doctors reporting that he had lost more than eight kilograms during the fast. He has been demanding the resignation of the education minister over the alleged NEET paper leak. Several Opposition leaders, including Pawan Khera, Dimple Yadav and Arvind Kejriwal, had visited him at the protest site to express support and appeal to him to end the hunger strike.

Following his admission to Safdarjung Hospital, a close associate wrote on X, "I am at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, where @Wangchuk66 has been admitted. Nothing should be administered to him orally or intravenously without taking consent from me, his family and his doctors who have been monitoring his health for the past 20 days."** Meanwhile, Cockroach Janta Party founding president Abhijeet Dipke claimed he had been beaten and detained by Delhi Police, while asserting that the protesters would continue their agitation and proceed with the planned Parliament march. The incident has further intensified the focus on Wangchuk's health, the ongoing protest, and the developments surrounding the demands raised during the agitation.