Guwahati Police on Saturday arrested two men for allegedly painting a portrait of activist and environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk at public places without obtaining permission from the authorities.

"I attended to Sonam Wangchuk and examined him. All his vital parameters, blood pressure, oxygen, pulse rate are normal. He is fully in his senses and is able to speak properly. We are monitoring him continuously. We are also trying to talk to him so that he takes IV fluids and IV electrolytes. We are following whatever best we can do for him and trying our best that we can get him better as soon as possible," says Dr Akshay Kumar, Additional Professor, Emergency Medicine, AIIMS Delhi.

#WATCH | Delhi: On activitst Sonam Wangchuk's health, Dr Akshay Kumar, Additional Professor, Emergency Medicine, AIIMS Delhi says, "I attended to Sonam Wangchuk and examined him. All his vital parameters, blood pressure, oxygen, pulse rate are normal. He is fully in his senses… pic.twitter.com/hwKPS0pXYV

— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2026

#WATCH | Delhi: Activist Sonam Wangchuk's doctor, Dr Nitin Dighe says, "My team and I have been doing his checkups for the past 20 days. His advocates and we have not been allowed to meet him so far. His wife is here and they are allowing her. I asked them why they have kept him… pic.twitter.com/L1XPHW76uK

— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2026

VIDEO | Delhi: On Sonam Wangchuk's removal from Jantar Mantar, former CJI KG Balakrishnan says, "Sonam Wangchuk has been taken to the hospital, and it is vital that his life is saved. This action does not pose a challenge to our constitutional values. The Constitution remains the… pic.twitter.com/5pxCPen1E0

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 18, 2026

Activist Anna Hazare on Saturday said the Union government should hold talks with educationist Sonam Wangchuk.

"The government should not test his limits. Say yes or no (to his demands) but what is wrong in holding discussions," Hazare said in a video message.

Opposition leaders across party lines on Saturday condemned the forced removal of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site in Delhi, accusing the BJP-led central government of undermining democratic freedoms, curbing dissent and choosing force over dialogue.

Wangchuk, who was on the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged shortcomings in the education system, including the NEET paper leak, was taken to Safdarjung Hospital by the Delhi Police, citing medical advice and directions of the Delhi High Court. (PTI)

The atmosphere inside Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital shifted from routine medical chaos to a high-security fortress the moment Sonam Wangchuk was wheeled in. The engineer, activist and environmentalist, who had been on a 21-day hunger strike at Jantar Mantar to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over paper leaks, was moved from the protest site and brought to the emergency ward of the hospital by the Delhi Police due to his deteriorating health. Read More

Safdarjung Hospitals report says @Wangchuk66’s potassium level is 2.9 whereas just yesterday it was 4.3. They are not allowing me to either get a second opinion by taking him to another lab not are they giving me his blood sample in my presence which i can get tested elsewhere. I…

— Gitanjali J Angmo (@GitanjaliAngmo) July 18, 2026

Activist Sonam Wangchuk who was taken to Safdarjung Hospital after a 20-day hunger strike has refused intravenous fluids, oral rehydration solution and other medications despite signs of dehydration and metabolic abnormalities, hospital authorities said on Saturday.

He is being continuously monitored and counselled to accept treatment in the interest of his health, they said.

Wangchuk, 59, was brought to the hospital by Delhi Police and admitted at 7:40 am with a history of fasting from solid food for 20 days and generalised weakness. There is no history of fainting attacks, the hospital said in health bulletin.

At the time of admission, he was conscious with stable pulse, blood pressure and oxygen saturation. Signs of dehydration were seen, it said.

Blood gas analysis revealed compensated acidosis with decreased serum potassium with blood sugar of 78 mg/dl. Repeat serum potassium test was similar. Urinary ketones were 1+ at the time of admission which have increased to 3+ by 1 pm, it said.

"Although intravenous fluids were advised but the patient has refused all intravenous fluids, oral rehydration fluid or any other medication.

"He is being continuously monitored and counselled for treatment in best interest of his health," the statement said.

"Sonam Wangchuk was brought to our hospital today at around 7. 40 AM. Due to the prolonged fast, he is feeling a little weak and has mild dehydration. We are continuously monitoring all his vital parameters. His blood tests have been conducted, and they indicate mild dehydration. We are providing the required treatment for that. He is fully alert, and his vital signs are stable," says Safdarjung Hospital's medical superintendent Dr. Charu Bamba.

VIDEO | Delhi: Charu Bamba, Medical Superintendent, Safdarjung Hospital, briefs media about Sonam Wangchuk’s health.
She says, “Sonam Wangchuk was brought to our hospital today at around 7. 40 AM. Due to the prolonged fast, he is feeling a little weak and has mild dehydration.… pic.twitter.com/3jGlduv1lo

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 18, 2026

"Weak due to fasting and needs monitoring," that's the first update on activist Sonam Wangchuk's health after he was shfited by Delhi Police to hopsital on Saturday morning

Wangchuk was moved to Delhi's Safdarjung hospital on the 21st day of his hunger strike.

"Sonam Wangchuck was received and admitted at Safdarjung hospital for required health care at 7.40 am today," read the first statement from the hospital.

"He is weak due to prolonged fasting and dehydration. Although he is currently stable, he requires continuous observation, monitoring and treatment to restore his body parameters," the hospital added.

The Delhi Police, in a post on X, said that Sonam Wangchuk is currently "weak" and has "signs of dehydration" due to prolonged fasting.

"In the morning, as per directions of Hon'ble High court as well as a routine daily scheduled check up, doctors arrived for medical examination of Shri Sonam Wangchuk. There was obstructions caused by some protestors. This created some commotion also," the police said.

They added, "Doctors have examined and assessed the health condition of Sh. Wangchuk, where they have opined that due to prolonged fasting, he is weak and has signs of dehydration. He is under observation. Further tests are being conducted and his health conditions being continuously monitored  under expert supervision."

In the morning, as per directions of Hon’ble High court as well as a routine daily scheduled check up, doctors arrived for medical examination of Shri Sonam Wangchuk. There was obstructions caused by some protestors. This created some commotion also.
Considering the delicate…

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

Wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk, Gitanjali Angmo, has written to MS Safdarjung hospital to shift Wangchuk to a hospital of her choice and discharge him. She also told them not to administer any oral or intravenous substance to Wangchuk without her consent and to provide digital medical records.

Cockroach Janata Party Founder, Abhijeet Dipke, has announced he would be on a hunger strike starting today. This came shortly after activist Sonam Wangchuk was removed from the protest site by Delhi police and taken to a hospital on medical grounds.

"I appeal to everyone: do not back down; this movement will only grow larger. They have made a grave mistake... I urge everyone to come to Jantar Mantar; our movement will continue from here, and we will proceed with our march scheduled for July 20," Dipke said.

Educator and activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike over the alleged NEET paper leak, has been removed from the protest site at Delhi's iconic Jantar Mantar. The police shifted him to a hospital early morning, and urged protesters to vacate. 

Wangchuk and his supporters had been protesting against Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for nearly a month, trying to draw attention to the plight of millions of students aspiring to get admission into India's top medical colleges.

He started his hunger strike on June 28 at the iconic protest site in the heart of Delhi, backing the protest by satirical outfit Cockroach Janta Party.

The Delhi High Court had earlier ordered the government to do "anything and everything" to protect Wangchuk's life. The police action came a day after doctors described his condition as an emergency with a fear of his organs failing.

The Safdarjung Hospital has released an update on activist Sonam Wangchuk - who was removed from the Delhi's Jantar Mantar protest site today morning.

"He is weak due to prolonged fasting and dehydration. Although he is currently stable, he requires continuous observation, monitoring and treatment to restore his body parameters," it said.

In 2024, Sonam Wangchuk consumed only water and salt and slept outdoors at 11,500 feet in sub-freezing temperatures in Ladakh for 21 days, demanding legal rights for his region to protect its resources.

In 2026, the activist and educator lay under a tarpaulin tent at Jantar Mantar in the humid July heat of Delhi for 21 days, demanding education reforms in the wake of the NEET paper leak controversy.

From celebrated innovator and educationist to the most prominent face of Ladakh's political and environmental movement, and now to the face of a Gen Z movement for education reforms - Wangchuk's journey reflects a shift from grassroots innovation to national activism.

Congress leader Sachin Pilot has slammed the government for removing activist Sonam Wangchuk from Delhi's Jantar Mantar protest site, calling it a "completely flawed policy by the government".

"Sonam Wangchuk has been fasting for nearly 20 days, giving up food to strike for a critical issue, the future of our youth, and the resignation of the Education Minister. Yet, the government chose not to engage in any dialogue, initiate a discussion, or even acknowledge the matter," he said.

Pilot added, "Now, seeing the growing national impact and mounting public pressure, they are forcibly shifting him to a hospital, solely to evade accountability. It would have been far better if the government had initiated a dialogue and met their demands. Forcibly removing him and shifting him to the hospital clearly reveals that the government is under immense pressure. Discontent is peaking, and taking him to the hospital by force will only fuel public outrage instead of suppressing it."

After removing activist Sonam Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site, the Delhi Police has appealed to the protesters to vacate the site "peacefull at the earliest". 

Early on Saturday morning, Delhi Police officials shifted Sonam Wangchuk to a Delhi hospital amid portest and slaganeering by the protesters. 

In a statement after the action, Delhi Police said that their action was in accordance with the Delhi High Court order and due to Wangchuk's failing health. 

"Sonam Wangchuk has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care," Police statement said.

As the Delhi Police shifted activist Sonam Wangchuk to the Safdarjung Hospital, his wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, said that no medical treatment should be administered to the activist without her consent.

"I am at Safdarjung hospital in Delhi where @Wangchuk66 has been admitted. Nothing should be administered to him orally or intravenous without take consent from me, his family and his doctors who have been monitoring his health for the past 20 days," she wrote in a post on X.

I am at Safdarjung hospital in Delhi where @Wangchuk66 has been admitted. Nothing should be administered to him orally or intravenous without take consent from me, his family and his doctors who have been monitoring his health for the past 20 days.

— Gitanjali J Angmo (@GitanjaliAngmo) July 18, 2026

Sources have accessed activist Sonam Wangchuk's medical records dated July 13 - when doctors wanted him to shift to the hospital, but the activist had refused.

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.

As Wangchuk was sitting with the protesters at Jantar Mantar early in the morning, the Delhi police arrived at the site in civilian clothes - some wearing a blue shirt and others wearing a white shirt. The cops deployed heavy security, put up curtains, 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. READ MORE

How Sonam Wangchuk Was Taken To Hospital Amid Heavy Police Deploymenthttps://t.co/dwSgaTCH8n pic.twitter.com/VTRCJ6kito

— NDTV (@ndtv) July 18, 2026

Activist Sonam Wangchuk 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.

"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. We request the protesters at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest," Delhi Police said.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for 20 days at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, has been removed from the protest site and taken to the hospital.

Police landed at the protest site early on Saturday morning and shifted Wangchuk to hospital amid protests and sloganeering by the Cockroach Janata Party activists who have been spearheading the protest against Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.