Story perspectives

Delhi Police Remove Sick Hunger Striker; Opposition Demands Action

7/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

The hunger strike drew over 21 million Instagram followers to the Cockroach Janta Party.
Doctors report Sonam Wangchuk lost more than 9 kg and suffers pain after being taken to Safdarjung Hospital.
Delhi police removed Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar on medical advice, covering him with white sheets.
Opposition leaders Shashi Tharoor, Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal urged him to end the fast and demanded Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, exam reform and compensation for families of student suicides.

History

Historical Context

Anna Hazare’s 98-hour hunger strike beginning 5 April 2011 at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar forced the government to form a joint committee and draft the Jan Lokpal Bill, drawing support from activists such as Arvind Kejriwal and the India Against Corruption coalition. A recent fast at the same site invokes that 2011 precedent, signalling renewed use of non-violent pressure on Indian authorities.

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Story summary

The hunger strike drew over 21 million Instagram followers to the Cockroach Janta Party.
Doctors report Sonam Wangchuk lost more than 9 kg and suffers pain after being taken to Safdarjung Hospital.
Delhi police removed Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar on medical advice, covering him with white sheets.
Opposition leaders Shashi Tharoor, Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal urged him to end the fast and demanded Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, exam reform and compensation for families of student suicides.

1 / 2