New Delhi: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke launched an indefinite hunger strike on Saturday, hours after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to hospital from his Jantar Mantar protest amid clashes between demonstrators and police.
Delhi Police said Wangchuk, who had been fasting for 21 days, was moved to hospital “as per orders of the Hon’ble High Court and on expert medical advice” after his health deteriorated. The police statement added that protesters created obstruction during the transfer, causing a brief commotion, but officers exercised restraint and carried out the operation safely. Authorities urged demonstrators to vacate Jantar Mantar peacefully.
ANI, citing sources, reported that Wangchuk was admitted to the hospital’s emergency ward, is conscious, and has stable vital signs while under observation.
CJP founder Dipke contested the police account, alleging on X that officers used force at the protest site. He claimed police beat and detained protesters, forcibly removed Wangchuk and assaulted participants. After being released, Dipke posted a video saying he had been beaten and that CJP demonstrators were “badly lathicharged” during the operation.
Following the hospital transfer, Dipke announced he had begun an indefinite fast and called for nationwide demonstrations, urging supporters to intensify the movement and denouncing what he called “dictatorship.”