Jantar Mantar Erupts as Activist Sonam Wangchuk Hospitalized, CJP Founder Detained

Delhi's Jantar Mantar witnessed a fresh wave of public fury and swelling crowds after activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly taken to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police on Saturday, following a 21-day indefinite hunger strike. The situation escalated further with the reported detention of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, who later began his own hunger strike, prompting a robust police deployment and an appeal to protesters to vacate the site. Wangchuk's removal, officially attributed to his deteriorating health and a Delhi High Court order, fueled accusations from activists of a crackdown on peaceful dissent, transforming the iconic protest ground into a flashpoint of contention. The current wave of activism, spearheaded by Wangchuk and now Dipke, centers on demands for accountability over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG entrance examination and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. This protest marks a shift for Wangchuk, who is widely known for his environmental advocacy and long-standing fight for constitutional safeguards, including 6th Schedule status, for Ladakh. The CJP, a satirical youth-based movement founded in May 2026 by Dipke in response to contentious remarks by the Chief Justice of India, has rapidly gained traction by mobilizing against issues affecting India's youth, particularly examination scams. The forcible actions against prominent activists underscore the government's increasingly firm stance against public demonstrations, potentially risking further galvanizing widespread discontent. With Abhijeet Dipke now continuing the indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar and an ink attack adding to the day's drama, the stage is set for a planned 'Parliament March' by the CJP on Monday, July 20. Sonam Wangchuk, despite his hospitalization, has urged supporters to ensure the march's success from what he termed his 'illegal detention.' The coming days will test the resolve of both the protesters and the authorities, with the potential for further clashes and a heightened national debate on civil liberties and government responsiveness to youth grievances. Observers will be watching for official statements, the conditions of the detained activists, and the scale of public participation in the upcoming march.