In a dramatic escalation on July 18, 2026, a heavy contingent of the Delhi Police forcefully evicted prominent climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk from his protest site at Jantar Mantar. Entering the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike over the NEET examination irregularities, Wangchuk was physically removed and swiftly transferred to the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, where he has been admitted under heavy security.
The midnight operation, which saw brief scuffles between law enforcement and protesting youth, comes directly on the heels of the Delhi High Court’s intervention regarding the activist’s rapidly deteriorating health.
Delhi High Court Directed Immediate Medical Intervention
The move to have Sonam Wangchuk hospital bound was not entirely unexpected. Earlier this week, the Delhi High Court heard a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) arguing that the activist’s fast amounted to an act of self-harm. After reviewing the medical reports submitted by the Delhi Government on Friday, which indicated severe muscle wasting, a dangerous drop in blood sugar levels, and a total weight loss of nearly 10 kilograms, the division bench authorized local authorities to intervene.
The court noted that the state has a fundamental duty to preserve life and directed the Delhi Police and medical authorities to forcefully administer life-saving intravenous (IV) fluids and liquid nutrition if his vitals dropped into the critical zone.
The Scene at Jantar Mantar
Eyewitnesses report that at approximately 1:30 AM, hundreds of police personnel cordoned off the Jantar Mantar protest area. Members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)—the youth-led movement organizing the sit-in—attempted to form a human chain around Wangchuk’s tent.
However, police quickly dismantled the barricades and detained several CJP student leaders. Wangchuk, appearing extremely frail and unable to walk independently, was carried to a waiting advanced life support ambulance.
Sonam Wangchuk Admitted at RML Hospital
Sources at RML Hospital confirmed that Wangchuk is currently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) under the supervision of a specialized medical board. Despite his verbal resistance, doctors have initiated intravenous rehydration and are closely monitoring his kidney and liver functions, which had begun showing signs of acute stress due to prolonged starvation.
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Political Backlash and Upcoming ‘Chalo Sansad’ Rally
The news of having Sonam Wangchuk taken to hospital against his will has sparked fierce political backlash. Opposition leaders have condemned the midnight crackdown, accusing the central government of using brute force rather than addressing the core demands surrounding the NEET paper leaks and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Meanwhile, the CJP has vowed that the forceful eviction will not derail their movement. With the Monsoon Session of Parliament fast approaching, the organizers announced early Saturday morning that their planned “Chalo Sansad” (March to Parliament) rally on July 20 will proceed with even greater numbers to protest the government’s heavy-handed tactics.
Reports said that Wangchuk was still continuing his fast inside the hospital as he has refused to take anything. Moreover, CJP founder Abhijit Dipke has started an indefinite hunger strike against Wangchuk’s forced hospitalisation.