18 July,2026 11:08 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Abhijeet Dipke. Pic/X
Abhijeet Dipke, founding president of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has begun an indefinite hunger strike even as the party reaffirmed that its proposed âChalo Sansad' march on July 20 will go ahead as planned.
The development comes amid a row over the removal of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from the protest site at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on the 21st day of his hunger strike, triggering protests from supporters who alleged that he was taken away against his will.
Dipke, who has been supporting the agitation, accused Delhi Police of forcibly removing Wangchuk despite his deteriorating health.
Speaking to ANI, he alleged that police personnel arrived at the protest site early on Saturday morning and dragged Wangchuk away.
"At 7 am, police personnel arrived here and forcibly took Sonam Sir away. He is a 60-year-old man who had been on a hunger strike for 20 days. We do not know where he was taken," Dipke claimed. He further alleged that he was assaulted by police while heading towards Jantar Mantar.
CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das also alleged on X that police had detained Dipke and were removing Wangchuk from the protest site, claiming that students participating in the protest were being subjected to a lathicharge.
Delhi Police, however, maintained that Wangchuk was shifted to a hospital in compliance with directions issued by the Delhi High Court and on the advice of medical experts due to concerns over his health.
In a statement posted on X, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma said Wangchuk was moved for essential medical care after his condition deteriorated. He added that while some protesters attempted to obstruct the process, police exercised restraint and carried out the transfer safely.
"Mr Sonam Wangchuk has been moved to an appropriate government hospital for much-needed medical intervention and is currently under medical supervision," Sharma told reporters.
On Thursday, the Delhi High Court had directed authorities to clinically monitor Wangchuk's health on a daily basis during his hunger strike, observing that every citizen's life is precious and that necessary medical intervention should be provided whenever required.
Despite Wangchuk's hospitalisation and the ensuing confrontation, the CJP said its planned âChalo Sansad' march on July 20 would proceed as scheduled. Wangchuk and his supporters have been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged nationwide examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak controversy.
