Emotional Scenes at Jantar Mantar as Sonam Wangchuk Shifted to Hospital
July 18, 2026 02:20 PM IST

Emotional Scenes at Jantar Mantar as Sonam Wangchuk Shifted to Hospital

Ananya Lohia , New Delhi - Emotional scenes unfolded at Jantar Mantar on Saturday after Delhi Police shifted climate activist Sonam Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital as his indefinite hunger strike entered its 21st day. The move sparked protests, with Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke breaking down in tears and accusing the police of forcibly removing the activist.

Holding portraits of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Dipke was seen weeping at the protest site before announcing his own indefinite hunger strike. Addressing supporters, he claimed Wangchuk did not want to be hospitalised and wished to continue the protest and participate in the planned Parliament march. Dipke also alleged that protesters were detained and lathi-charged during the operation, allegations that were denied by the Delhi Police. Eyewitnesses claimed police personnel used white sheets to block cameras while shifting Wangchuk.

Defending its action, the Delhi Police said Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on expert medical advice and in compliance with Delhi High Court directions due to his deteriorating health. Meanwhile, Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, opposed the hospitalisation and urged authorities not to administer any treatment without consulting the family or his doctors.

With Wangchuk now under medical supervision and fresh protests erupting at Jantar Mantar, the agitation has entered a new phase, intensifying the political debate and drawing renewed attention to the protesters' demands.

TV 19 Network NEWS FEED

Iran, US and Oman ‘close’ to Hormuz deal: What each side wants

Iran, US and Oman ‘close’ to Hormuz deal: What eac...

Iran, Oman and the U.S. are reportedly close to a Strait of Hormuz agreement tha...

Iran Retaliates After U.S. Airstrikes Kill 14, Khamenei Burial Delayed

Iran Retaliates After U.S. Airstrikes Kill 14, Kha...

Fresh U.S. airstrikes in Iran reportedly killed 14 people, prompting Iranian ret...

Trump says he’s Iran’s No. 1 target after Air Force One blinds were shut

Trump says he’s Iran’s No. 1 target after Air Forc...

President Donald Trump claimed he is Iran’s “No. 1 target” after security measur...

West Asia war : Three killed in U.S. strikes in western Iran

West Asia war : Three killed in U.S. strikes in we...

Three people were killed in U.S. strikes in western Iran as tensions escalated f...

Trump says Iran ceasefire is over

Trump says Iran ceasefire is over

President Donald Trump said the Iran ceasefire is “over” following fresh U.S. st...