Civilian Clothes, White Sheets: How Cops Took Sonam Wangchuk From Protest Site

Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for 20 days at Delhi's Jantar Mantar - demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak, was removed from the site today by the Delhi Police on medical grounds. LIVE UPDATES

As Wangchuk was sitting with the protesters at Jantar Mantar early in the morning, the Delhi police arrived at the site in civilian clothes - wearing mostly blue or white shirts. Some of them were also seen dressed in yellow, orange, or black T-shirts. The cops deployed heavy security, put up white sheets, and before anyone could anticipate what was happening, they took him away. According to officials, the 59-year-old Wangchuk was taken to the hospital "peacefully", despite a brief obstruction amid protests and sloganeering by the Cockroach Janata Party activists who have been spearheading the demonstration.

Wangchuk was taken away with maximum restraint, officials said.

The climate activist has been taken to the Safdarjung Hospital, where he has been admitted to the emergency ward. Sources told news agency ANI that Wangchuk is conscious and his vitals are stable.

What Delhi Police said

The Delhi police, in a statement, said that Wangchuk was taken from the protest site in accordance with the orders of the High Court and on expert medical advice due to his deteriorating health.

"Sonam Wangchuk has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care. While complying with the orders of Hon'ble High Court the protesters tried to create obstruction, in which slight commotion ensued. Police, however, exercised maximum restrain and undertook the exercise safely," they wrote on X.

As per orders of Hon'ble High Court and on expert medical advise due to the deteriorating health condition of Sh. Sonam Wangchuk, he has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care.
While complying with the orders of Hon'ble High Court the protestors tried to create…

— DCP New Delhi (@DCPNewDelhi) July 18, 2026

The police also appealed to protesters to vacate Jantar Mantar peacefully "at the earliest".

Sonam Wangchuk's health

The Delhi Police's action came a day after doctors described Wangchuk's condition as an emergency with a fear of his organs failing.  A medical update two days ago had said that the activist lost over 8 kilos and his health was deteriorating.

Wangchuk, however, vowed that he would stay alive till July 20 - the first day of the Monsoon Session - when the protesters will carry out a march to the Parliament.

"I am weak from the outside but very strong inside. I am sure all of you are strong from the inside, and outside too. We need this energy for July 20, when we will take out a peaceful march to Parliament. We will go together and present our plea in the temple of democracy. I will stay alive till July 20 at any cost. If you don't come and July 20 is not successful, I will come back as a ghost," the activist had told his supporters.