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Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike in New Delhi demanding education reforms and the resignation of the education minister, was transferred to a hospital on Saturday on court orders after his health deteriorated. The move came as the Delhi High Court had directed authorities to monitor his health and intervene if necessary, according to reports from Dawn and Deutsche Welle.

Coverage comparison

Reports from Dawn and Deutsche Welle describe the police action and the court's role. Dawn reported that Wangchuk, who had begun the 21st day of his strike, was "picked up" by police and transferred to a hospital. The New Delhi deputy commissioner of police posted on X that the transfer was "as per orders of Hon'ble High Court and on expert medical advise due to the deteriorating health condition" of Wangchuk. The post also mentioned that protesters had tried to create an obstruction, causing a "slight commotion," but that authorities exercised "maximum restrain" and carried out the transfer safely. Authorities have since requested protesters camping at Jantar Mantar to vacate the grounds, Dawn said.

Deutsche Welle's report, briefer and more factual, noted that Wangchuk was picked up by police and transferred to a hospital, and that the Delhi High Court had ordered authorities to monitor his health. It also cited planned protests, including a march to parliament.

BBC, in a broader analysis of hunger strikes in Indian politics, did not detail the hospitalisation but reported the court's earlier order for health monitoring. The BBC report focused on the historical significance of hunger strikes, drawing parallels to Potti Sriramulu's 58-day fast in 1952 that led to the creation of Andhra state.

Key claims

  • Wangchuk, 59, has been on hunger strike for over three weeks, surviving on salt water and losing more than 9 kilograms, as reported by BBC and Dawn. A doctor attending to him told the ANI news agency that he remains mentally alert despite the weight loss, according to Dawn.
  • The hunger strike is in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), an online satirical movement demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over exam paper leaks that affected millions of students, according to BBC and Dawn. The CJP, which gained 22 million Instagram followers within days of its founding in May, describes itself as representing "the lazy, the unemployed, and the chronically correct," Dawn reported.
  • The Delhi High Court ordered authorities to monitor Wangchuk's health and provide treatment if needed, as reported by BBC, Dawn, and Deutsche Welle. The order came in response to a petition seeking to force-feed Wangchuk before his condition worsened, according to Dawn.
  • Protesters are planning a march to the Indian Parliament on July 20 to demand the minister's resignation and exam reforms, as reported by Dawn and Deutsche Welle.
  • India's unemployment rate was 3.1 percent in 2025 for people aged 15 and above, but nearly 10 percent among those aged 15 to 29, rising to 13.6 percent in urban areas, according to government data cited by Dawn. This context underscores the frustrations among young Indians, who make up more than half of the population, Dawn noted.

Perspectives

Delhi High Court

The court directed authorities to monitor Wangchuk's health and intervene based on medical opinion, reflecting a judicial intervention to ensure his well-being during the protest, as reported by Dawn and BBC.

New Delhi Police

The police said Wangchuk was shifted to a hospital on court orders and expert medical advice due to his deteriorating health. They alleged protesters tried to create an obstruction, but authorities acted with restraint, according to Dawn.

Cockroach Janta Party and protesters

The CJP and protesters demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over exam paper leaks and are planning a march to parliament to press their demands, as reported by Dawn and Deutsche Welle.

Sonam Wangchuk

Wangchuk has vowed to continue his strike until the demands are met, according to Dawn. His doctors report he remains mentally alert, though his physical condition has deteriorated.