Indian police forcibly hospitalise activist after 20-day hunger strike

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that Indian police removed activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk from a protest site in New Delhi on Saturday, July 18, and took him to hospital after 20 days on hunger strike. Police said the 59-year-old was moved for “essential medical care” under High Court orders after doctors advised that his health was worsening. The removal took place at Jantar Mantar, where students and activists have been protesting India’s examination system.

The protest has become associated with the Cockroach Janta Party, a youth-led movement that Al Jazeera says began in May after a Supreme Court chief justice used the term “cockroaches” in reference to some unemployed young people. The movement, which first spread through satirical online posts, is calling for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign, for exam reforms, and for compensation to families of students who died by suicide.

Police said protesters tried to block officers as Wangchuk was being taken away, creating a brief disturbance, and urged those at the site to leave peacefully. The CJP accused the government of forcibly taking Wangchuk without consent. Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, said from Safdarjung Hospital that he remained weak but alert, would continue his fast, and should not receive oral or intravenous treatment without family and medical consent.

The wider anger follows allegations of leaks, corruption and mismanagement in national exams. Al Jazeera cited the cancellation and retaking of a major medical entrance test after leaked questions as a key trigger for public outrage. Additional police and paramilitary personnel were deployed near the protest site and hospital, with further demonstrations expected as parliament returns on Monday.