Police Forcefully Remove Sonam Wangchuk From Jantar Mantar on Day 21 of Hunger Strike, Admit Him to Hospital

SUNIL NEGI

New Delhi: A heavy police force led by the DCP of New Delhi on Saturday forcibly removed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from the hunger strike site at Jantar Mantar and admitted him to a government hospital for immediate medical care and monitoring of his health. Wangchuk was on the 21st day of his indefinite fast when he was lifted by his hands and legs by police personnel and taken away from the protest venue. Several other co-hunger strikers sitting with him were also removed from the site and were sent for medical examination.

The action came hours after the Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi, asked all those present at Jantar Mantar to vacate the premises immediately, citing that prohibitory orders had been imposed in the area. Police said the step was taken in view of deteriorating health conditions of the fasting activists and to comply with directions issued by the Delhi High Court.

Two days earlier, a two-judge bench of the Delhi High Court, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by advocate Saini, had issued clear and categorical directions for constant monitoring of Sonam Wangchuk’s health. The court had said that if required, he should be admitted to hospital immediately to ensure adequate medical care to save his life. The bench had observed that the same would apply to all other hunger strikers sitting with Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar who were suffering physically and mentally due to the prolonged fast.

Sources said that medical teams deployed at the site had flagged concerns over Wangchuk’s vitals and had advised urgent hospitalisation. Following this, the DCP New Delhi reached the spot with additional forces and began the process of evacuation. Visuals from the site showed Wangchuk being carried away by police even as supporters raised slogans in his support.

The founder of the Cockroach Janata Party, Abhijit Dipke, who was also present at the protest, alleged that he was beaten when he resisted the police from taking Wangchuk away roughly. Speaking after the incident, Dipke said that the movement would now also demand the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in addition to the earlier demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. “We will not leave Jantar Mantar at any cost,” he said, adding that the march to Parliament scheduled for 20th July would go ahead as already rescheduled.

The protest at Jantar Mantar has been underway for over three weeks now, with Wangchuk and other activists demanding reforms in the education system and greater attention to issues concerning Ladakh and the Himalayan region. Over the past few days, the site had seen a steady stream of visitors extending support. Several prominent political dignitaries, social activists and film personalities had come to Jantar Mantar to express their wholehearted solidarity with Wangchuk and the other hunger strikers.

National Kisan leader Rakesh Tikait had also visited the site earlier this week along with hundreds of farmers and had assured full support to the movement. He had announced that farmers and activists from across the country would assemble at Jantar Mantar on 20th July and participate in a march to Parliament.

The developments on Saturday have escalated the situation at Jantar Mantar. While the administration maintained that the removal was necessitated by medical and law and order considerations, protesters termed it an attempt to break the back of a peaceful movement. They argued that the High Court’s directions were meant to ensure health monitoring, not to forcibly end the protest.

Hospital authorities said Wangchuk and the other activists brought in on Saturday are under observation and receiving fluids and necessary medical attention. Doctors have not yet issued a detailed bulletin on their condition but said they would be kept under watch for the next 24 to 48 hours.

Meanwhile, prohibitory orders remain in force around Jantar Mantar and additional deployment of police and paramilitary personnel has been made to prevent any further gathering. Organizers, however, have vowed to regroup and continue their agitation, saying that the removal of Wangchuk to hospital would not deter them from pressing their demands.

With the 20th July march to Parliament now less than a week away, all eyes are on how the situation unfolds in the coming days and whether the government reaches out for dialogue with the fasting activists and their supporters.