Live: Sonam Wangchuk Hospitalised Amid Hunger Strike; CJP Protests Escalate Over NEET Row

The Cockroach Janta Party on Sunday (July 19, 2026) took to X to assert once again in no uncertain terms: "The Prime Minister must resign." CJP had first raised this demand on Saturday, after Delhi Police forcibly moved activist Sonam Wangchuk — who had been carrying out an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar — to Safdarjung Hospital, citing his deteriorating condition. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke directed sharp criticism at Delhi Police as well as the BJP-led Union government for hospitalising Mr. Wangchuk against his will. "Until now, our demand was Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, but after this deplorable act, we are now demanding that Narendra Modi step down," Mr. Dipke declared.

On the day Mr. Wangchuk entered his 21st day of fasting, officials moved him away from the stage at Jantar Mantar — the path to the ambulance screened off entirely by white curtains. Just before he was helped inside the vehicle, he briefly raised his hand above the curtains, where it was visible for a moment before the ambulance drove off. At 59, Mr. Wangchuk has become an unexpected face of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)'s weeks-long, youth-driven demonstrations across the country, which have now converged on the national capital. The narrative built around him keeps acquiring fresh dimensions. The celebrated educator is spearheading the Delhi protests with a 21-day hunger strike, pressing for the ouster of India's Union Education Minister.

The three hunger-striking students at Jantar Mantar continue to hold their ground after a large body of demonstrators blocked security personnel from getting near them, former All India Students' Association president N. Sai Balaji confirmed. Earlier that Sunday morning, Mr. Balaji had alleged that Delhi Police was moving to dislodge the three fasting AISA members — Neha, Ameen Amitoj, and Manish Kumar — from the protest venue. The three are doctoral scholars enrolled at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD), and Allahabad University respectively.

On Sunday, July 19, 2026, activist Sonam Wangchuk labelled the planned July 20 Parliament march India's "second freedom movement," urging his followers to ensure the turnout becomes a "big success." He laid out the event's twin aims as winning "freedom from fear" and "freedom from injustice." The message was handwritten and transmitted from Safdarjung Hospital through his wife Gitanjali J Angmo. Mr. Wangchuk clarified that "freedom from injustice" referred to the alleged paper leak controversy, while "freedom from fear" was linked to what he described as his own "illegal detention."

On Sunday (July 19, 2026), activist Sonam Wangchuk characterized the upcoming July 20 protest march to Parliament as the country's "second freedom movement." He called for "freedom from fear" and "freedom from injustice," rallying his supporters to ensure the demonstration becomes a massive success. Through a handwritten note delivered from Safdarjung Hospital by his wife Gitanjali J Angmo, Mr. Wangchuk associated "freedom from injustice" with the ongoing paper leak controversies, while connecting "freedom from fear" with what he characterized as his unlawful confinement. He has framed this demonstration as a battle for justice and liberation from intimidation.

Raijor Dal president and MLA Akhil Gogoi has strongly denounced the "forcible" admission of climate and social activist Sonam Wangchuk to the hospital, describing it as an infringement on constitutional and fundamental rights. He demanded the prompt release of Mr. Wangchuk and insisted that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan step down from his post. Speaking to ANI, Mr. Gogoi expressed deep concern over how a fasting individual was forcibly moved to a hospital in violation of basic rights. He added that as a public representative of Assam and the North East, he demands the immediate release of Sonam Wangchuk.

Congress leader Sachin Pilot claimed that the central government is avoiding discussions and stifling opposition because it is feeling cornered by mounting public anger over issues plaguing the country's education sector. Mr. Pilot told journalists that the administration is refusing to hold discussions with Sonam Wangchuk or agree to what he wants. He observed that as pressure mounts nationwide regarding the causes behind his hunger strike, the government seems visibly shaken. He criticized the authorities for forcefully removing an individual engaged in a non-violent hunger strike instead of choosing to talk to him. This statement was reported by PTI.

Safdarjung Hospital announced on Sunday (July 19) that activist Sonam Wangchuk is receiving necessary medical treatment, with a panel of medical specialists keeping a close eye on him as his blood counts show minor variations caused by the bodily strain and systemic impacts of his extended fast. In its medical update, the hospital stated that Sonam Wangchuk is being provided the essential medical care at VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital. His main life signs are currently steady. However, because his blood levels show slight changes due to the physical stress and full-body effects of his long fast, he needs ongoing medical supervision under the watchful eyes of a diverse group of experts. This report was shared by PTI.

Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has requested individuals who intend to join the march to Parliament on Monday (July 20) to reach Jantar Mantar this Sunday evening and remain there through the night.

N. Sai Balaji, the former president of the All India Students’ Association, claimed that the Delhi police are trying to relocate three AISA students—Neha, Ameen Amitoj, and Manish Kumar—who are Ph.D. researchers from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD), and Allahabad University. The students are currently on the 22nd day of their hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. This update was reported by Aroon Deep.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who remains admitted at Safdarjung Hospital after being forcefully relocated there by Delhi Police, made an appeal to students on Sunday (July 19) to participate in what he termed "India's second freedom movement" on July 20. The Cockroach Janta Party has organized a protest march to Parliament scheduled for July 20, coinciding with the opening day of the Monsoon Session. The demonstration aims to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following alleged discrepancies in the NEET-UG examination papers. Using his account on X, Mr. Wangchuk urged students to ensure the march to Parliament is highly successful. He remarked, "India’s 2nd freedom movement. Freedom from injustice. Freedom from fear."

Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS) State convener D.G. Sagar on Saturday (July 18) criticized the BJP-led central government for its failure to maintain transparency in conducting the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). He demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the suspected irregularities. Speaking at a press conference in Kalaburagi city, Mr. Sagar pressed the central government to oust Mr. Pradhan from the cabinet, holding him accountable for the alleged deficiencies in how the exam was managed. The Dalit Sangharsha Samiti is insisting on the education minister's resignation due to these NEET concerns and is preparing to hold protests across the state on July 23.

Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) National President Chirag Paswan claimed that multiple opposition factions are using activist Sonam Wangchuk as the symbol of their political drive after losing their own political relevance. He also voiced apprehension about Mr. Wangchuk's worsening health condition due to his continuous hunger strike. While speaking to ANI regarding the ongoing demonstration at Jantar Mantar, Mr. Paswan noted that it is highly regrettable that various opposition parties, having lost their political foothold, seem to be deploying Sonam Wangchuk as their face. He observed that a single individual has been left to carry on with a hunger strike while there is widespread concern over his failing health. This was reported by ANI.

A senior physician from Indraprastha Apollo Hospital stated that giving IV fluids and starting nutritional assistance are critical steps for activist Sonam Wangchuk's well-being, warning that the situation could turn critical for the patient if things go past a specific limit. Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, who serves as a Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, remarked that the released medical report points to "compensated metabolic acidosis." This was reported by ANI.

Security forces have been stationed outside the VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital buildings, where climate campaigner Sonam Wangchuk was hospitalized following a decline in his health on the 21st day of his open-ended hunger strike.

Chandrashekhar Azad, the leader of the Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) and MP representing Nagina, went to the demonstration location at Delhi's Jantar Mantar to meet the protesters.

On Saturday (July 18, 2026), social activist Anna Hazare stated that the Union government must initiate dialogue with educationist Sonam Wangchuk. He commented in a video address that the authorities should not push him to his limits. He added that the government can accept or reject his terms, but there is no harm in holding talks.

On Sunday (July 19), Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke spoke to demonstrators gathered at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, praising Sonam Wangchuk for his fast. Mr. Dipke expressed that it was his second day of fasting and he now understands its difficulty. He expressed respect for Sonam Wangchuk and the striking students, adding that he is saving his strength for the upcoming march on Monday. This refers to the Parliament march organized by the CJP to coincide with the start of the Monsoon Session on Monday (July 20). Mr. Dipke began his open-ended hunger strike on Saturday (July 18) to protest the Delhi Police's intervention against Mr. Wangchuk, who was forcefully moved to Safdarjung Hospital on the 21st day of his hunger strike.

Demonstrations continued at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Sunday morning (July 19) to oppose the police action against activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was moved to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday. Mr. Wangchuk was observing an indefinite fast to seek the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, who also initiated an open-ended hunger strike on Saturday following Mr. Wangchuk's forced hospitalization, shared an image on X depicting Jantar Mantar crowded with students and CJP backers.

The Tripura state committee of the CPI(M) plans to hold rallies across the state to show solidarity with the Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) upcoming 'Parliament March' on July 20, a senior politician announced on Saturday (July 18). Speaking at a press briefing, the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the state assembly, Jitendra Chaudhury, expressed strong condemnation and concern regarding the forceful removal of Sonam Wangchuk by police officers to a Delhi hospital, referencing a Supreme Court order. He termed the situation a grave matter. He added that the CPI(M) will hold statewide demonstrations in support of the CJP's 'Parliament March' to amplify public opposition against the alleged misrule of the Narendra Modi-led administration. This was reported by PTI.

Actor Sonakshi Sinha, singer Vishal Dadlani, and actor Parvathy Thiruvothu have expressed their dismay at how educationist Sonam Wangchuk was relocated to a hospital from his protest site, where he had been observing an indefinite fast. In a clip shared on Instagram, Ms. Sinha commented that what occurred with Sonam Wangchuk was improper. She stated she was pleased that he is doing fine and that his spouse is by his side. She described him as robust and vigilant, noting she has been observing him and the thousands of supporters standing beside him over the past few days. The actor commended the students for backing Wangchuk and sustaining their peaceful demonstrations. This was reported by PTI.

On Saturday, July 18, 2026, Left parties strongly criticized the police's forceful eviction of activist Sonam Wangchuk and other demonstrators from Jantar Mantar. They accused the central government of silencing democratic opposition instead of resolving the reported irregularities in the NEET examination, while expressing solidarity with the ongoing student-led movement. The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation declared that the agitation would persist even after Mr. Wangchuk's relocation. Three activists from its student wing, AISA—namely Neha, Manish, and Aameen—are continuing their indefinite fast. Furthermore, the organization urged citizens to participate in the upcoming march to Parliament scheduled for July 20.

On Saturday, July 18, Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke criticized the Delhi Police and the BJP-led central government for the forced hospitalisation of Sonam Wangchuk. The activist had been on a hunger strike in Delhi for 21 days to seek the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Mr. Dipke stated that while they were previously calling for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, they will now demand the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi following this shameful action.

Although activist Sonam Wangchuk was moved to a medical facility on Saturday morning, July 18, 2026, as his fast entered its 21st day at a Jantar Mantar protest organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), at least 21 other protesters from various parts of the country are continuing their hunger strike. Despite their declining physical health, these demonstrators declared that removing Mr. Wangchuk from the protest site has only strengthened their determination to keep fighting until Dharmendra Pradhan steps down as the Union Education Minister.

The Cockroach Janta Party held an overnight demonstration on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at Delhi's Jantar Mantar against the BJP administration, demanding the resignations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka shared a video clip on the social media platform X, showing students gathered at the protest site chanting Vande Mataram.

The FAIMA Doctors Association has sent a letter to India's President Droupadi Murmu, urging immediate action regarding recurring discrepancies in the NEET exams, accountability for the NTA, and structural changes in the testing system. Additionally, the medical association has called for the release of transparent health bulletins twice a day detailing Sonam Wangchuk's condition following his admission to the hospital.

Just as Sonam Wangchuk reached the 21st day of his hunger strike, law enforcement personnel quickly moved him away, placing a barrier of white curtains along his path from the platform at Jantar Mantar to the waiting medical vehicle. Mr. Wangchuk attempted to raise his hand above the screen, and it was visible for a brief moment before he was guided inside and driven away. The 59-year-old activist has turned into an unexpected icon of the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) weeks-long youth movement across the nation, which is currently focused in the capital city. The stories surrounding Mr. Wangchuk continue to grow, from reports of how he hid his prominent family background—his father Sonam Wangyal was a mountaineer and former MLA—to secure a spot in an engineering college as an ordinary applicant, to his emergence as the face of ecological protests in Ladakh in 2023, and his advocacy for the region's self-governance last year.

On Saturday, July 18, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale stated that his colleague Dharmendra Pradhan is not required to resign over the NEET question paper leak, asserting that measures have already been implemented against the perpetrators of the fraud. He additionally suggested that Sonam Wangchuk should end his hunger strike, offering reassurances that the government would implement policies to prevent future occurrences of paper leaks. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event, Mr. Athawale remarked that there is no necessity for Dharmendra Pradhan to step down. While acknowledging that the NEET paper leak is unfortunate, he emphasized that it is incorrect to say that no action has been taken on the matter. —PTI

Medical authorities at Safdarjung Hospital reported on Saturday, July 18, that activist Sonam Wangchuk, currently on a 21-day hunger strike, is presenting clinical symptoms of dehydration and needs prompt fluid and electrolyte therapy to avoid serious medical complications. However, both he and his relatives have refused the suggested medical intervention despite multiple counselling attempts. The hospital indicated in a brief update released around 9 p.m. that Mr. Wangchuk remains fully conscious and hemodynamically stable, with his pulse rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation levels holding within normal ranges. Nonetheless, the facility emphasized that his extended fast has resulted in physical indicators of dehydration, making oral or intravenous fluids and electrolyte replacement clinically essential. —PTI

According to government insiders, the central administration directed the Delhi Police to relocate activist Sonam Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site because of the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament, which is set to begin on Monday, July 20, 2026. Police and other intelligence departments also feared potential security disruptions in the capital city, just a short distance from Parliament House, as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) had announced a major demonstration to call for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation following the NEET paper leak scandal.