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Indian activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk was taken to a hospital in New Delhi on Saturday, after 20 days of a hunger strike protesting against India's examination system. The 59-year-old had been fasting at the Jantar Mantar protest site, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in medical entrance exams.

According to a statement from Delhi police, Wangchuk was shifted for essential medical care following a court order and expert medical advice due to his deteriorating health. The police noted that protestors tried to create obstruction during the operation, leading to a slight commotion.

Coverage Comparison

The removal was reported by both BBC News and Dawn. While BBC described the scene as chaotic, with police using bedsheets to cover Wangchuk before moving him, Dawn's report was more neutral, focusing on the official justification of health concerns and the court order. Both outlets noted that a few hundred students had joined Wangchuk's protest.

BBC's coverage included details from a video showing confusion among supporters as police hurriedly moved Wangchuk, and a statement from CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, who expressed concern about not being told where Wangchuk was taken. Dawn's report mentioned that police also moved some CJP supporters staging a sit-in, with visuals showing one woman being physically lifted by policewomen.

Key Claims

  • Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for 20 days demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over irregularities in medical entrance exams, which were cancelled following a paper leak.
  • The protest is organized by the satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) online movement, with a few hundred students joining Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar.
  • Wangchuk had lost more than 8kg and his blood sugar levels were low, causing alarm among supporters.
  • The Delhi High Court ordered government doctors to monitor Wangchuk's health daily due to his deteriorating condition.
  • The CJP has planned a march to parliament on 20 July, the day the next session starts, to demand educational reforms and Pradhan's resignation.
  • Wangchuk has refused to end his hunger strike unless the government gives an assurance that no force or retaliatory action will be used against students.
Wangchuk, an engineer and climate activist from Ladakh, has been described as a follower of Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of non-violent protest. He told the BBC earlier that he was "weak from the outside, but strong from inside," and insisted on continuing his fast to its "logical conclusion."

In a video statement from his hospital bed, Wangchuk said he wanted to end his fast but would continue unless he received assurance that students would not face force or retaliation. He also saluted students for their restraint during a police crackdown, which he said involved lathi-charges.

Education Minister Pradhan has refused to resign, dismissing the CJP and its supporters as "the B-team of disruptive elements." He has not commented on the hospitalisation.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke told reporters that Wangchuk was "forcibly dragged away" by police, and that they had no idea where he was taken. However, police said he was moved in compliance with a court order.

Perspectives

The situation involves multiple parties with distinct viewpoints:

Delhi Police: The police stated that Wangchuk was shifted to a government hospital for essential medical care due to his deteriorating health, in compliance with a High Court order. They reported that protestors tried to obstruct the operation, causing a slight commotion.

CJP and Wangchuk supporters: The Cockroach Janta Party, through founder Abhijeet Dipke, characterized the removal as a forcible dragging, raising concerns about the well-being of the activist. Wangchuk himself expressed determination to continue his protest, demanding an assurance of no retaliatory action against students.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan: He has refused to resign, dismissing the protesters as "the B-team of disruptive elements" who do not have faith in the country's progress.

Government officials: Health Minister JP Nadda visited Wangchuk in the hospital and requested him to break his fast, saying the government was open to discussing the issues raised by the activist.