Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk, who began the 21st day of her hunger strike in the national capital on Saturday, was picked up by police and reportedly shifted to a hospital.
This comes as a planned march from Jantar Mantar to the Indian Parliament in central New Delhi on July 20 has gained popularity on social media.
Protesters and students are demanding the resignation of Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the entrance exam scam affecting millions of students.
Wangchuk, 59, has been fasting since June 28 to show solidarity with India’s students and youth-led Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). According to CJP founder Abhijeet Dupke, by Friday Wangchuk had lost about 8.7 kilograms (19.1 lb), looked emaciated and had lost a lot of muscle mass.
On Friday, when Wangchuk was asked if he wanted to be hospitalized, the activist said: “They don’t understand that this is not a disease or a disorder. This is a self-chosen vow.”
Police say Wangchuk has been transferred on court orders
“As per the orders of the Honorable High Court and on expert medical advice due to the deteriorating health condition of Shri Sonam Wangchuk, he has been shifted to the hospital for necessary medical care,” New Delhi’s Deputy Commissioner of Police posted on Twitter.
The Post alleged that protesters at the site “tried to create a disturbance, resulting in a minor disturbance,” but officers “exercised maximum restraint and conducted the exercise safely.”
He has now “requested” the protesters camping at the historic site of Jantar Mantar to vacate the grounds.
‘Cockroach’ party expressed concern, claimed Dip was allegedly ‘beaten’
Leaders of the youth-led political pressure group Cockroach Janata Party alleged that police officers had “forcibly” taken Wangchuk to an “undisclosed location”.
The CJP posted a video on Instagram showing several people in civilian clothes marching to the stage where Wangchuk was resting.
CJP supporters present on the stage attempted to stop the people, leading to a scuffle, while officials unfurled white sheets to block the scene of Wangchuk’s detention.
Dipke, who was not close to Wangchuk at the time, said he was barred from visiting the site by officials. “Delhi Police is taking action at Jantar Mantar. Beating people and forcibly taking away Sonam sir,” he said in a post minutes before the Instagram video was released.
This was followed by another post: “I was beaten and detained by Delhi Police.”
According to CJP, Dipke is now on an indefinite hunger strike.
Press agency ANI quoted Deepke as saying, “If they think that taking Sonam sir will end this movement, then they are wrong. We will stay here and march to Parliament on July 20.”
Speaking about the Indian Prime Minister, he said, “Till now we were demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, but after this despicable act, we will now demand the resignation of Narendra Modi.”
recent court hearing
Earlier this week, the New Delhi High Court had directed the Central and Delhi state governments to monitor Wangchuk’s deteriorating health and provide immediate medical care. The government had agreed to regularly monitor Wangchuk.
This was in response to a petition filed by a lawyer seeking medical intervention for Wangchuk and requesting the court to stop force-feeding the activist, citing precedent where protesters were given essential supplements and intravenous nutrients to save their lives.
The court did not comment on the idea of force feeding.
Hunger strikes, which is also the weapon of choice of the “Father of the Nation” Mahatma Gandhi, are widely used in India to show dissent and are considered a peaceful form of protest.
Edited by: Shawn Sinico
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