India
oi-Prakash KL
Delhi Police carried out a well-planned operation on Saturday to take climate activist Sonam Wangchuk to the hospital from the protest site Jantar Mantar.
The time of the operation was specifically choosen as there will be fewer protesters. The Delhi Police had zeroed in on commencing the operation when Sonam Wangchuk’s close aide, Abhijit Dipke was not at the protest site, ANI reported citing sources.
Delhi Police conducted a planned operation Saturday to hospitalize climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar due to his declining health during a hunger strike over NEET irregularities, citing medical advice. He is stable at Safdarjung Hospital.
As per the strategy formed at a high-level meeting under new Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, 30 to 35 cops from the New Delhi district’s Special Staff and local police entered the site in mufti and the plan was known to a handful of senior officers. The inspectors and most personnel were instructed to report to the site and remain in position.
The operation plan was not revealed to the personnel in advance.
Wangchuk was first surrounded by officials with large white sheets from all sides and brought down to prevent the crowd from swelling and to avoid any disturbance, sources added.
It was a three-stage operation wherein plainclothes police officers first secured the stage and escorted Wangchuk away. In the second, personnel from the CRPF and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) kept protesters behind the barricades to prevent any clashes. In the final stage, senior Delhi Police officers coordinated and monitored the operation from a control point near the ambulance and police vehicles.
VIDEO | Chaos at Jantar Mantar, where activist Sonam Wangchuk is on indefinite hunger strike since last 20 days, amid heavy police deployment.#JantarMantar #SonamWangchuk
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/ZcNLoHHd2W
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 18, 2026
After Wangchuk was shifted into the ambulance, traffic police cleared the route, enabling the vehicle to leave the protest site and reach Safdarjung Hospital without interruption.
Since June 28, Wangchuk had been on an indefinite hunger strike in support of the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination while demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijit Dipke, who has been backing the protests, returned to the protest site only after the activist was safely taken out of Jantar Mantar.
On the operation, the DCP, New Delhi said: “As per orders of Hon’ble High Court and on expert medical advice due to the deteriorating health condition of Sh. Sonam Wangchuk, he has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care. While complying with the orders of Hon’ble High Court the protestors tried to create obstruction, in which slight commotion ensued, however police took maximum restrain and undertook the exercise safely. We request the protestors at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest.”
Giving an update on his health, Safdarjung Hospital said that he was admitted at 7.40 am. “He is weak due to prolonged fasting and dehydration. Although he is currently stable, he requires continuous observation, monitoring and treatment to restore his body parameters,” the statement said.
Abhijit Dipke has now announced a hunger strike and the planned march to Parliament on July 20, coinciding with the start of the Monsoon session, will go ahead as scheduled.
He said, “I am commencing my indefinite hunger strike starting today. I appeal to everyone: do not back down; this movement will only grow larger. They have made a grave mistake… I urge everyone to come to Jantar Mantar; our movement will continue from here, and we will proceed with our march scheduled for July 20th.”
