New Delhi: The indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar entered its 22nd day on Sunday with three student activists continuing their fast despite the forced hospitalisation of activist Sonam Wangchuk by Delhi Police. Organisers reaffirmed that the proposed July 20 march to Parliament, organized in tandem with the Cockroach Janata Party, will proceed exactly as scheduled to demand accountability over national competitive examination irregularities.
The demonstration has maintained momentum through the participation of student leaders Neha, Ameen Amitoj, and Manish Kumar from the All India Students’ Association, all of whom have been on an indefinite fast for over three weeks. According to medical assessments provided by organisers, JNU PhD scholar Neha has lost 7.5 kg, Ambedkar University scholar Ameen Amitoj has lost 9.3 kg, and Allahabad University scholar Manish Kumar has lost 10.4 kg. Medical professionals are continuing to monitor the three students as public concern grows over their deteriorating physical health. Meanwhile, Cockroach Janata Party chief Abhijeet Dipke entered the second day of his supporting hunger strike at the venue.
Tensions escalated at the protest site following the removal of Sonam Wangchuk on Saturday morning. Delhi Police maintained that Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital based on expert medical advice and in compliance with directives from the Delhi High Court. However, Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, contested the decision, stating that the court had only ordered routine health monitoring and confirming that Wangchuk is continuing his hunger strike in the hospital by consuming only salt water. Student leaders further alleged that heavy police deployments and Rapid Action Force personnel attempted to dismantle the remaining tents and unlawfully remove the student hunger strikers shortly after Wangchuk’s departure.
In response to the perceived threat of an imminent police crackdown, the Cockroach Janata Party issued an appeal for citizens to join a night vigil at Jantar Mantar. Party spokesperson Vijeta Dhaiya expressed deep concern over potential forced removals but emphasised that the demonstrators will not abandon the site. The agitation also garnered formal support from the Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers’ Association, which strongly condemned the police intervention and urged academic bodies nationwide to participate in Monday’s march to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
