Delhi Police shift Sonam Wangchuk to hospital on day 21 of hunger strike

Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday after his health deteriorated on day 21 of his fast, Delhi Police said.

In a statement, Delhi Police said, “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. 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.”

The police also appealed to protesters to end their agitation, saying, “We request the protestors at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest.”

Heavy police deployment was seen outside Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi, where Wangchuk was admitted after being removed from the Jantar Mantar protest site following his prolonged hunger strike.

Breaking news this morning: Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was sitting on a hunger strike from last 20 days at Jantar Mantar, taken to the hospital by the police. Delhi Police claim that they are acting on court orders: truth is, court asked govt to monitor his health and not… pic.twitter.com/1tbGpfqMFC

— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) July 18, 2026

Meanwhile, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Saturday announced that he would begin an indefinite hunger strike following Wangchuk’s removal from the protest site. Speaking at Jantar Mantar, Dipke said the planned march on July 20 would go ahead as scheduled and maintained that the protest would continue despite Wangchuk being shifted to hospital.

“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,” he said.

In a statement, Safdarjung Hospital said Wangchuk’s vital parameters are stable, although he remains weak because of his prolonged fast.

“Mr Sonam Wangchuck was received and admitted at Safdarjung hospital for required health care at 7.40 am today. 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 government hospital said.

According to India Today, citing sources, a team of two doctors and two paramedics has been deployed to care for Wangchuk at the government-run Safdarjung Hospital. The report added that another team of doctors and paramedics from the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital had examined the activist before he was removed from the Jantar Mantar protest site. According to the sources, the RML doctors advised Wangchuk to get hospitalised after the health check-up.