Delhi police intervened on Saturday to forcibly relocate activist Sonam Wangchuk to a hospital, citing serious health concerns after the 59-year-old completed a 20-day hunger strike. Wangchuk had been fasting since 28 June at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, where he was demanding the resignation of India’s education minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, over alleged irregularities in national medical examinations.
A deputy commissioner of the Delhi police stated that the removal was carried out based on expert medical advice and in compliance with high court orders concerning the activist's deteriorating health. During the operation, some supporters at the protest site attempted to obstruct the police, leading to a minor commotion. Authorities subsequently requested that the remaining protesters vacate the area.
The action followed a directive from a New Delhi court on Thursday, which ordered government doctors to monitor Wangchuk’s health daily. In its ruling, the court emphasized that the life of any citizen is precious and mandated that all necessary medical interventions be taken to preserve his life after a petition from activist lawyer Rakesh Kumar Saini warned that the hunger strike could prove fatal.
Wangchuk, an engineer known for his pioneering work in Himalayan water conservation, had been joined by several hundred students throughout his protest. Additional demonstrations were organized by the satirical Cockroach Janta party online movement. Reflecting on the scale of the protest shortly before his removal, Wangchuk noted that education-focused movements have historically challenged governments in India.
The hunger strike was prompted by widespread outrage over India's competitive examination system. Last month, approximately 2.2 million students were forced to sit for a re-examination after a previous test was scrapped due to a paper leak. This incident, combined with a separate marking scandal in high school tests, has triggered significant youth protests, with various opposition party members expressing support for Wangchuk’s cause.
