New Delhi: In the first major public action since Anurag Kumar took charge as the new Delhi Police Commissioner, police on Saturday shifted climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk from the protest site at Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital, citing concerns over his deteriorating health.
Anurag Kumar, a 1994-batch AGMUT cadre IPS officer and former Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), assumed charge on July 17, replacing Satish Golcha. Less than 24 hours later, Delhi Police carried out the operation at the protest site.
What Happened?
Police personnel arrived at Jantar Mantar early on Saturday, where Wangchuk had been on an indefinite hunger strike for over 20 days.
Delhi Police said the move was made following medical advice and directions from the Delhi High Court, which had ordered regular health check-ups and asked authorities to intervene if his condition became critical.
Wangchuk was taken to Safdarjung Hospital, where doctors said he is conscious and stable but remains weak due to prolonged fasting and dehydration. Shortly after his admission, his wife Gitanjali J. Angmo said no oral or intravenous (IV) treatment should be given to him without the consent of his family and the doctors who had been monitoring his health throughout the hunger strike. She said she had reached the hospital and requested that any medical intervention be carried out only after obtaining informed consent.
Police and Protesters Give Different Versions
DCP (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma said the operation was carried out peacefully and in accordance with court orders. According to police, officers exercised restraint despite some protesters attempting to stop the transfer. Additional security personnel, including the Rapid Action Force (RAF), were deployed around Jantar Mantar to maintain law and order.
However, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) disputed the police version. Party founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that plainclothes police personnel forcibly removed Wangchuk and claimed some protesters were assaulted or briefly detained during the operation. The party has demanded his immediate release from hospital once doctors permit it.
Why Was Wangchuk Protesting?
The protest began in June 2026 under the leadership of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). The movement demands the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak and seeks comprehensive reforms to India’s examination system.
The protesters are calling for:
- A transparent investigation into alleged examination irregularities.
- Stronger security measures for competitive exams.
- Greater accountability of examination agencies.
- Reforms to ensure fair and transparent recruitment and entrance tests.
Sonam Wangchuk joined the hunger strike on June 28 in solidarity with the movement. He said the issues raised by students reflected larger concerns about transparency and public accountability. Wangchuk also linked the protest to his long-standing campaigns for constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, environmental protection and responsible governance.
Growing Public Support
During the 20-day protest, students, teachers, activists and civil society groups visited Jantar Mantar to express support. The agitation also gained momentum on social media, where many users questioned the handling of examination-related controversies
Supporters have also criticised sections of the mainstream media, claiming the protest received limited coverage during the initial days despite Wangchuk’s prolonged fast. Wider media attention came only after his health worsened on the 20th day and he was shifted to hospital.
What Happens Next?
Despite Wangchuk’s hospitalisation, the Cockroach Janata Party has said the movement will continue. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has begun his own indefinite hunger strike and announced that the party’s planned Parliament march on July 20 will go ahead.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have maintained that the operation was carried out solely on medical grounds and under judicial directions. There has been no official comment from Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar on the incident.
The developments have renewed debate over the handling of peaceful protests in the national capital and the growing demand for reforms in India’s examination system.
Also read: Delhi HC Orders Daily Health Monitoring for Sonam Wangchuk as Hunger Strike Enters Day 19
Prateeksha Kumari is a journalist and strategic communications professional specialising in digital journalism, political reporting, and public affairs. Her work focuses on grassroots issues, governance, and civic developments, with an emphasis on clarity, accuracy, and narrative-driven reporting.
She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla and has qualified the UGC-NET examination, reflecting her academic grounding in media studies and communication research. Her reporting spans politics, public policy, health, education, and socio-economic issues, and she is experienced in bilingual (Hindi and English) content creation tailored to diverse audiences.
Alongside her journalistic work, she brings experience in political communication and public relations, where she has contributed to campaign messaging, media outreach, and narrative building. She has worked on integrated communication strategies across print and digital platforms, combining editorial judgment with audience insight and data-led content approaches.
