Key facts
- Activist Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly hospitalized after a 20-day hunger strike.
- The strike protested alleged exam paper leaks and demanded the education minister's resignation.
- The movement is linked to the satirical "Cockroach Party," which gained millions of followers.
- Police stated the hospitalization followed medical advice and a court directive.
- The Cockroach Party called the transfer an "abduction" and vowed to continue protests.
Police in New Delhi forcibly transferred prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk to a hospital on Saturday, July 16, after his health declined during a 20-day hunger strike. Wangchuk, an engineer and education reformer, was protesting alleged exam paper leaks and irregularities, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The movement has gained significant public attention, drawing inspiration from the satirical "Cockroach Party," which uses the insult "cockroaches" as a symbol of resilience and has amassed millions of social media followers.
Authorities increased security around the Jantar Mantar protest site, where Wangchuk had been camped with students and other activists. Police stated that Wangchuk's hospitalization was a necessary medical intervention carried out under medical supervision and following a court directive. However, some protesters attempted to block the transfer, with the Cockroach Party alleging Wangchuk was "forcefully abducted" without consent.
Following Wangchuk's hospitalization, Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Party, announced he would begin his own hunger strike. Dipke accused police of using excessive force and likened Wangchuk's removal to that of a criminal. The party reaffirmed its commitment to a planned march to India's Parliament on Monday, asserting that the movement would grow stronger.