Indian police forcibly transferred environmentalist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk to a government hospital in New Delhi on Saturday, July 18, 2026, after his health deteriorated during a 20-day hunger strike. Wangchuk, 59, is a prominent activist associated with the viral Cockroach Janata Party movement, which demands sweeping reforms to India's examination system and compensation for families of students who died by suicide following exam paper leaks or results.

Wangchuk and fellow protesters have been camped at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, a designated public protest site secured by police barricades. They are calling for the resignation of India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan amid allegations of leaked exam papers.

Delhi Police reported that Wangchuk was hospitalized following medical advice and a court directive. Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma stated, “Sonam Wangchuk has been taken from here to an appropriate government hospital, a much-needed medical intervention, under medical supervision.” The transfer sparked a brief commotion as some protesters attempted to block the move.

The Cockroach Party accused the government on social media of “forcefully abducting” Wangchuk without his or his family’s consent, just two days before a planned march to India’s Parliament. In response, Abhijeet Dipke, a Boston University student and founder of the Cockroach Party, announced he would begin a hunger strike and called for nationwide protests.

The Cockroach Janata Party originated in May after Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant referred to some unemployed youth as “cockroaches” during a hearing. Supporters embraced the term as a symbol of resilience, rapidly growing the movement’s social media presence to over 21 million Instagram followers.

Sources

France 24 English