New Delhi, July 18: A new indefinite hunger strike commenced at Jantar Mantar on Saturday morning, complicating administrative efforts to clear the venue after the medical evacuation of activist Sonam Wangchuk. Cockroach Janata Party leader Abhijeet Dipke assumed the lead role in the demonstration, which focuses on alleged irregularities within the national examination system and seeks accountability from the Union Education Ministry.
The development followed hours after a heavy deployment of Delhi Police personnel arrived at the site to enforce a High Court health order concerning Wangchuk. As security teams requested the crowds to disperse, student activists linked arms to create a human chain, successfully protecting other fasting scholars from being shifted.
From the main stage, Dipke maintained that the demonstration would expand despite the increased presence of law enforcement.
“Our movement will continue from here, and we will proceed with our march scheduled for July 20th,” the organizer asserted, calling upon volunteers to resist administrative pressure to leave the area.
The persistence of the protest has attracted significant political attention, with representatives from the Aam Aadmi Party, Trinamool Congress, and Samajwadi Party releasing statements regarding the rights of peaceful demonstrators.
In response to the developments, the New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police asserted via social media that the relocation of the previous fasting leader was entirely health-driven and legally sanctioned.
“As per orders of Hon’ble High Court and on expert medical advice due to the deteriorating health condition of Sh. Sonam Wangchuk has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care,” the senior officer affirmed, reiterating requests for the remaining groups to depart the area safely.
The protest site remains active as student organizations reinforce the venue, setting up logistics to sustain the new phase of the strike leading up to Monday’s proposed march toward Parliament.
