Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke has begun an indefinite hunger strike after Delhi Police moved activist Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Wangchuk’s fast had entered its 21st day when he was hospitalised.

The police said the move was made on medical advice and in line with the Delhi High Court’s direction to monitor Wangchuk’s health. CJP leaders disputed that version, alleging that he was taken away forcefully. The clash has now sharpened tensions ahead of the group’s planned July 20 march to Parliament, when the Monsoon Session is set to begin.

What happened early Saturday morning

Delhi Police reached the protest site early on Saturday morning and shifted Sonam Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital. Hindustan Times reported that chaotic scenes followed at Jantar Mantar, with CJP’s Abhijeet Dipke claiming that Wangchuk was taken away by force, while some students alleged they were lathicharged.

Police denied wrongdoing. New Delhi DCP Sachin Sharma said Wangchuk had been moved to “an appropriate government hospital” for medical intervention and was under medical supervision. Reuters reported that police said the action followed the Delhi High Court’s order and medical advice.

The DCP also said some protesters tried to obstruct the move, leading to a brief commotion, but police acted with restraint. CJP leaders, however, said the operation was carried out without Wangchuk’s consent and without proper communication to his family.

Wangchuk’s health update

Safdarjung Hospital said Wangchuk was stable but weak after prolonged fasting and dehydration. Economic Times reported that he was admitted at 7:40 AM and would remain under continuous monitoring and treatment.

Hospital officials said he was conscious, alert and medically stable, but needed observation because of dehydration and changes in body parameters. The Delhi High Court had earlier directed authorities to monitor his health daily and provide medical intervention if doctors found it necessary.

Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, objected to any treatment being given without family consent and the involvement of doctors who had been monitoring him through the fast. Her post added another layer to the dispute over whether the hospitalisation was protective or coercive.

Opposition pushes back, march to go ahead

Opposition leaders reacted sharply after Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital. AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal criticised the police action, saying “such arrogance is not right” and that the government should have held talks instead of forcibly removing protesters, according to The Times of India. AAP’s Sanjay Singh, Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav and TMC’s Sagarika Ghose also condemned the action, with Yadav calling it “an assault on democracy and the Constitution.”

CJP, meanwhile, said its Chalo Sansad march planned for July 20 will go ahead despite Wangchuk’s hospitalisation. The march is timed with the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, turning what began as a student-led protest over NEET-UG irregularities into a direct political test for the Centre on exam accountability, protest rights and police handling at Jantar Mantar.

From a courtroom jibe to a movement

CJP has said its Chalo Sansad march will proceed on July 20. Reuters reported that supporters plan to march to Parliament when the Monsoon Session begins, pressing for Pradhan’s resignation and exam reforms.

That makes the next 48 hours important. The government faces pressure on three fronts: Wangchuk’s health, the allegation of forceful police action, and the planned march toward Parliament.

For now, Wangchuk is in hospital, Dipke has taken over the fast, and the protest has not ended. The question is whether the Centre opens a channel for talks before July 20, or whether the confrontation at Jantar Mantar becomes the opening image of the Monsoon Session.