Agencies / New Delhi
Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke today began an indefinite hunger strike after educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was taken to hospital on Day 21 of his indefinite fast.
Dipke’s announcement came amid big claims and counterclaims over Wangchuk’s hospitalisation. While the Delhi Police said the activist was moved under a Delhi High Court order concerning his health, the CJP claimed that students were lathicharged and Wangchuk was taken away from Jantar Mantar by force.
In a post on X, CJP informed, “Abhijeet Dipke sits on an indefinite hunger strike. The ‘Chalo Sansad’ march on 20 July will proceed as planned.”
Earlier today, Dipke also claimed that he was beaten up and detained, a claim the Delhi Police denied. Dipke, along with many other CJP supporters and activists, has been leading a big protest seeking accountability on the NEET-UG paper leak and exam irregularities.
Sonam Wangchuk health update: Wangchuk was shifted to the Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday after his health deteriorated on the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike.
The hospital clarified that Wangchuk is weak due to fasting and dehydration, but is “currently stable.”
“Mr Sonam Wangchuk has been admitted at Safdarjung Hospital for required health care. 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,” Safdarjung Hospital said, according to news agency.
Meanwhile, in a statement, police clarified that Wangchuk was shifted for “essential medical care.”
“As per orders of Hon’ble High Court and on expert medical advise due to the deteriorating health condition of Sh. Sonam Wangchuk, he has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care,” the statement of DCP New Delhi read.
“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,” it added.
Furthermore, the police also requested the protesters at Jantar Mantar to “peacefully vacate the place at the earliest.”
Sonam Wangchuk’s wife on medical treatment
Wife of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, Gitanjali J Angmo, on Saturday urged doctors at Safdarjung Hospital not to administer any oral or intravenous treatment to her husband without the consent of his family and the medical team that had been monitoring his health.
In a post on X, Angmo said, “I am at Safdarjung hospital in Delhi where @Wangchuk66 has been admitted. Nothing should be administered to him orally or intravenous without taking consent from me, his family and his doctors who have been monitoring his health for the past 20 days.”
Wangchuk and the CJP have been holding a protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities.