Climate Activist Sonam Wangchuk Taken to Hospital Amid Hunger Strike; Protestors Allege Force

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was taken to a hospital by Delhi Police on the 21st day of his hunger strike, prompting allegations from protestors that he was forcibly removed against his will. The move came after the Delhi High Court ordered Wangchuk's transfer for medical care due to his declining health.

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At 7 AM, when I stepped out to freshen up, police goons arrived here. They dragged Sonam Sir away while hurling abuse at him. A 60-year-old man, who had been on a hunger strike for 20 days and hadn't eaten a thing was forcibly dragged away by the Delhi Police. We have no idea where they have taken him. When I received the news and was on my way to Jantar Mantar from my friend's house, the police assaulted me as well...These aren't police officers; they are RSS goons. I had returned to my country from abroad; am I a criminal? They are goons--not police, but RSS goons.

Abhijeet Dipke, a founder of the Cockroach Janata Party, claimed that police personnel arrived early in the morning and "dragged Sonam Sir away while hurling abuse at him." Dipke described the scene as police "goons" detaining a 60-year-old man who had been on a hunger strike for 20 days. He also alleged that he was assaulted by the police when he tried to reach the protest site.

However, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) New Delhi Sachin Sharma stated that Wangchuk was shifted to the hospital "in compliance with the orders of Hon'ble High Court and on the advice of medical experts due to his deteriorating health condition." Sharma added that while protestors attempted to obstruct the process, "police took maximum restrain and undertook the exercise safely." He urged protestors at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the site.

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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.

Saurav Das, Chief Spokesperson for the Cockroach Janata Party, also claimed that police had detained Dipke and were removing Wangchuk from the protest site, with students reportedly being lathicharged. The Delhi Police began removing protestors from Jantar Mantar following Wangchuk's hospitalisation.

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We request the protestors at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest.