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.“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.Jantar Mantar had also witnessed fresh drama on Saturday afternoon after a woman hurled an ink-like liquid at Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke while he was addressing a gathering, hours after the protest site saw a police operation to shift activist Sonam Wangchuk to a hospital.The incident briefly disrupted the programme as supporters rushed towards the stage, triggering commotion.Sharing a video of the incident on X, Dipke responded, “Blue is my colour… Jai Bhim!”The woman’s identity and the motive behind the act were not immediately known. Delhi Police personnel took the woman out of the premises.Early morning, today, Sonam was taken to Safdarjang Hospital by administration citing health conditions. However, CJP, his wife Geetanjali and his lawyers have maintained saying that government and administration is trying to break his fast.The Delhi Police shifted Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital after his health deteriorated during his 20-day indefinite hunger strike. The early morning operation witnessed a brief commotion as some protesters attempted to obstruct the police action.Later, Dipke announced that he was beginning an indefinite hunger strike. He has alleged on social media that protesters were detained and subjected to police action during the exercise.Wangchuk had been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 in support of the CJP-led protest over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Doctors monitoring him had said he had lost nearly 9.5 kg during the fast, while his blood pressure and blood sugar levels remained under close observation. — with AgenciesCentre should hold talks with Wangchuk, says Anna HazareJuly 18, 2026 6:49 pmActivist 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. Wangchuk has been demanding resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak scandal. He was shifted to a government hospital by Delhi Police on Saturday after his health deteriorated on the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. Notably, Hazare’s hunger strike in Delhi for the Lokpal Act had rocked the UPA government in 2011.Dipke sits on an indefinite hunger strike with photos of Mahatma Gandhi and B R AmbedkarJuly 18, 2026 5:29 pmTribune photo: Mukesh AggarwalAbhijeet Dipke holds Wangchuk’s photo while he sits at the protest stageJuly 18, 2026 5:29 pmTribune photo: Mukesh AggarwalWangchuk sits at the stage amongst other supporters during his indefinite hunger strikeJuly 18, 2026 5:18 pmTribune photo: Mukesh AggarwalCJP founder Abhijeet Dipke holds the Constitution at Jantar Mantar in New DelhiJuly 18, 2026 5:18 pmTribune photo: Mukesh AggarwalHow can govt be so merciless towards students? They are Indians, not Pakistanis: CJP founder’s fatherJuly 18, 2026 4:49 pmCockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke’s father on Saturday expressed concern over his son sitting on an indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, and asked how the government could be so “merciless” to the students who are Indian nationals, and not Pakistanis. Claiming that students are on indefinite hunger strikes in various parts of the country, Bhagwan Dipke asked whether the government is waiting for someone to die. He accused the government of not listening to demands raised by students and threatened to join his son’s indefinite fast. “Are these (agitating) students from Pakistan or any other country? They are Indians. This person should not behave so mercilessly. I don’t have any relatives or anyone from my community who has appeared for the NEET exam now,” Bhagwan Dipke added. “This agitation in Delhi was going on peacefully. Abhijeet has begun an indefinite fast after Sonam Wangchuk was taken to the hospital. We are concerned about him. We last spoke to him (Abhijeet) over the phone three days ago. The government should have taken a decision after July 20,” added Dipke’s mother.Core tenets of Modi govt are asatya, hinsa: Rahul Gandhi slams Wangchuk’s ‘removal’ from Jantar MantarJuly 18, 2026 4:41 pmCongress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said the “removal” of activist Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar while he was on a non-violent hunger strike is “wrong” and alleged that the core tenets of the government are “Asatya and Hinsa (falsehood and violence)”. In a post on X, Gandhi said the core tenets of the Narendra Modi government are “Asatya and Hinsa”. https://www.Jattvibe.com/news/delhi/core-tenets-of-modi-govt-are-asatya-hinsa-rahul-gandhi-slams-wangchuks-removal-from-jantar-mantar/Wangchuk refuses IV fluids, medication; doctors urge him to accept treatmentJuly 18, 2026 4:18 pmActivist 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. “Although intravenous fluids were advised but the patient has refused all intravenous fluids, oral rehydration fluid or any other medication. Sources in the know of the developments also said that doctors are also counselling his family to allow treatment to begin without further delay.Political activist Yogendra Yadav calls fight against ‘Dharmendra’s superiors’July 18, 2026 3:58 pmThe activist said that the protest is no longer about Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, but has stretched to be now about his “superiors.”Police action on Wangchuk suppression of democratic dissent, say Cong, NCP (SP)July 18, 2026 3:40 pmOpposition Congress and NCP (SP) in Maharashtra on Saturday criticised the shifting of activist Sonam Wangchuk to a hospital by Delhi Police, saying the action amounted to suppression of democratic dissent and showed the government’s “authoritarian mindset”. Maharashtra Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar, in a statement, said the use of police force against Wangchuk, who has been on a prolonged hunger strike, was “unfortunate and condemnable”. NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil criticised the detention of Wangchuk from the protest site in Delhi, saying the police action to shift him to a hospital without giving due consideration to his demands was “deeply concerning”. The former Maharashtra minister urged the Centre to hold “sensitive discussions” on the protesters’ demands and work towards a solution instead of resorting to such action.Kejriwal urges parents, students to join Jantar Mantar protest after Wangchuk shifted to hospitalJuly 18, 2026 3:30 pmAAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday appealed to citizens to join the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar after activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to hospital by Delhi Police, urging them to stand with those fasting for reforms in the examination system. In a video message posted on X, Kejriwal said Wangchuk and Dipke were not on hunger strike for themselves but for students across the country. He urged parents not to remain silent and to join the protest in support of demands for a fair examination system. “If they are sitting at Jantar Mantar for your children, why are you sitting at home? Why aren’t you sitting with them at Jantar Mantar?” he said.आज सोनम वांगचुक, अभिजीत दीपके और ये सारे युवा आपके बच्चों के भविष्य के लिए लड़ रहे हैं।अब घर बैठने से काम नहीं चलेगा। अब सबको एक होकर सड़कों पर उतरना होगा। तभी इस देश में कुछ बदलेगा।उठो, चलो जंतर मंतर। pic.twitter.com/9FS91uVVTW— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 18, 2026Hrithik Roshan supports Wangchuk amid hunger strikeJuly 18, 2026 3:20 pmBollywood star Hrithik Roshan extended support to activist Sonam Wangchuk amid his hunger strike and said he agrees with his concern for the students. Roshan shared a video of Wangchuk on his Instagram story on Friday. It featured the activist speaking about the students. “When will you wake up ? 20 souls have taken their own lives. They work hard all their lives to sincerely prepare and succeed in these examinations, and even those examinations are rigged. It means a lot for them,” he is heard saying in the video.Wangchuk’s fast should have ended in dialogue with Centre, say his supporters in Himachal’s SolanJuly 18, 2026 3:00 pmPolitical and civil society leaders in Himachal Pradesh on Saturday condemned the government’s interruption of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike by shifting him to a hospital, terming the move “insensitive”. They said the activist’s fast should have ended with a dialogue with the government but instead, he was shifted to a hospital without a solution being offered. Wangchuk’s supporters, consisting of hundreds of youths, women, retired government officials and civil society members, had observed a one-day symbolic fast in Himachal Pradesh’s Solan on Friday following a call given by city-based organisation Jagruk Yuva Sangathan. State Revenue and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Saturday accused the Union Government of being “insensitive” and imposing an “unannounced emergency” in the country.Wangchuk under observation at Safdarjung Hospital after medical check-up: PoliceJuly 18, 2026 2:15 pmDoctors assessing activist Sonam Wangchuk said he is weak and showing signs of dehydration due to prolonged fasting and has been kept under observation, according to a latest update provided by police. Further medical tests are being conducted and his health is being continuously monitored under expert supervision, police said in a statement. Police said Wangchuk was taken to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday for medical examination and further intervention after doctors, during a routine check-up mandated by the Delhi High Court, advised hospitalisation in view of his deteriorating health condition.Sonam Wangchuk continues hunger strike, July 20 Parliament march on, says wife Gitanjali AngmoJuly 18, 2026 1:51 pmGitanjali J Angmo, wife of Sonam Wangchuk, said that the planned march to Parliament on July 20 would go ahead despite the climate activist’s transfer to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police. She said that Wangchuk’s hunger strike continues. Speaking to reporters outside the hospital, Angmo said, “July 20 march is confirmed. Changing the education system is the responsibility of the executive and policymakers. Our job is to tell them that the system has completely collapsed.” She said the movement had gone beyond the issue of the NEET paper leak and had become a broader campaign for reforms in the education system. Angmo said Wangchuk had refused electrolyte powder and continued with his fast.Jantar Mantar action a black stain on democracy: Kharge attacks Centre over police action against WangchukJuly 18, 2026 1:48 pmCongress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the Centre over the police action against climate activist Sonam Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar, alleging that the government had targeted those who raised their voice against it. In a post shared on X, Kharge alleged that the government had spared no one, from farmers and students to Dalits, Adivasis and protesters raising public issues. “Whether it’s Prof. GD Agrawal, who sat on a fast unto death for 111 days to save Mother Ganga, or the Olympic wrestler from Haryana, whether it’s our 750 farmer providers, Dalits and Adivasis, or the 25 children sacrificed to the paper leak and their families, this tyrannical government has spared no one.” “In their eyes, anyone who raises their voice is an ‘Anti-National,’ a ‘parasite’!” he added.Woman hurls ink-like liquid at CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke at Jantar MantarJuly 18, 2026 1:45 pmChaos erupted at Jantar Mantar on Saturday after a woman threw an ink-like liquid at Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke while he was addressing a gathering at the protest site. The incident briefly disrupted the programme as supporters rushed towards the stage, triggering commotion. The woman’s identity and the motive behind the act were not immediately known. Further details were awaited.White sheets, plainclothes cops mark Delhi Police operation to shift Wangchuk to hospitalJuly 18, 2026 1:27 pmhttps://www.Jattvibe.com/news/delhi/white-sheets-plainclothes-cops-mark-delhi-police-operation-to-shift-wangchuk-to-hospital/Wangchuk’s lawyer says hospital gave written assurance against force-feeding, questions ‘abrupt’ fall in potassium levelsJuly 18, 2026 12:53 pmSonam Wangchuk’s lawyer, Bahuli Sharma, said the hospital administration had given a written assurance that he would not be force-fed without his or his wife’s consent. “We have taken it from the hospital’s administration in writing that without Mr Wangchuk’s or his wife’s permission, you cannot feed him forcibly,” Sharma said. On the Safdarjung medical team’s health assessment of Wangchuk, Sharma questioned the sudden drop in his potassium levels. “His potassium levels were near 4 last night, which as per this hospital’s report came down to 2.9 today. This fall is really abrupt, and we are not convinced with the medical report. We are planning to get the tests done from a reliable lab of our choice. Also, if needed, we will fight in court,” she said.World watching democracy being broken by force: Aaditya Thackeray on action against WangchukJuly 18, 2026 12:42 pmShiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray criticised the removal of activist Sonam Wangchuk from his protest site in Delhi, saying that the world is watching democracy being broken by force in the country, where even peaceful protests are no longer tolerated. Thackeray, in a post on X, said, “What a shame! The world watches democracy in India being broken by force, shamelessly.” “Even peaceful protests for students against an incompetent minister are not tolerated anymore,” he wrote.Sonam Wangchuk’s lawyer alleges denial of accessJuly 18, 2026 12:31 pmSonam Wangchuk’s lawyer, Bahuli Sharma, told The Tribune that she was denied permission to meet the activist at Safdarjung Hospital. “They are misinterpreting the Delhi High Court order. This is a clear violation when someone is forcibly trying to end your hunger strike,” Sharma said. The lawyer reiterated a statement earlier made by Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, alleging that they had not been given his medical report, on the basis of which doctors were reportedly trying to put him on an IV. “How do we verify if the report by Safdarjung Hospital is true?” Sharma said.Congress accuses govt of crushing peaceful protestJuly 18, 2026 12:12 pmThe Congress criticised the police action at Jantar Mantar, following which activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to a hospital, alleging that it reflected the government’s mindset that a peaceful protest is not a fundamental democratic right to be protected, but a law and order problem to be crushed. Attacking the BJP, the opposition party also said it was a shame that the world’s largest democracy was being “ruled” by the most undemocratic and anti-democratic political party in the world. “The Delhi Police reports directly to the home ministry, the very ministry that appointed a new police commissioner in Delhi just yesterday. If today’s crackdown is his first brief, it sends a chilling message: political obedience takes precedence over Constitutional duty,” Congress’ media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said.Cockroach Janta Party vows to go ahead with Parliament march on July 20July 18, 2026 12:07 pmFollowing the police action, the CJP escalated its agitation, demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation and vowing to press ahead with its planned Parliament march on July 20. In a post, CJP raised the pitch of its protest, saying, “Modi must resign!” The outfit, which has so far been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak, said the movement would continue despite Wangchuk’s removal from the protest site.Commotion, chaos at Jantar Mantar as police shift Sonam Wangchuk to hospitalJuly 18, 2026 12:07 pmhttps://www.Jattvibe.com/news/delhi/commotion-chaos-at-jantar-mantar-as-police-shift-sonam-wangchuk-to-hospital/AAP slams Centre, alleges ‘force and hooliganism’ in police actionJuly 18, 2026 11:48 amThe Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Centre after Sonam Wangchuk was removed by Delhi Police from his protest site at Jantar Mantar. In a post on X, the AAP alleged, “Instead of choosing the path of dialogue to end Sonam Wangchuk’s peaceful hunger strike against paper leaks, the government resorted to force and hooliganism. This clearly shows that the government is afraid of the voice of students.” AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh accused the BJP-led Central Government of ignoring Wangchuk’s peaceful protest and using force to end it.Health of 3 AISA activists on hunger strike deteriorates as Jantar Mantar protest enters day 21July 18, 2026 11:35 amThe health of three student activists on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar has deteriorated as their protest entered its 21st day on Saturday, organisers said, alleging that Delhi Police attempted to detain them from the protest site. The agitation is led by Sonam Wangchuk and activists of the All India Students’ Association (AISA) — Neha, Aameen, and Manish. Neha alleged that around 7 am, “Some people in plain clothes entered the stage area”, following which Wangchuk was “forcibly taken away” by police in the name of providing medical attention. She further alleged that police personnel attempted to enter the tent where the three fasting activists were staying and tried to detain them. “They could not detain us due to the presence of a large number of volunteers,” she claimed.’Coercion against Wangchuk is Modi govt’s defeat’: Kejriwal slams police action at Jantar MantarJuly 18, 2026 11:27 amAAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal lashed out at the Centre over the police action against climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) supporters, stating that “arrogance is not right” and the government should have engaged in dialogue instead of using force. “Such arrogance is not right. Instead of forcibly lifting them up, the Modi government should have talked to Sonam Wangchuk. Instead of crushing the movement, reform the country’s education and examination system,” Kejriwal posted on X. “Coercion against Sonam Wangchuk is Modi govt’s defeat,” he added.US-based advocacy groups express solidarity with Sonam WangchukJuly 18, 2026 11:27 amActivists from the US-based advocacy groups gathered to express solidarity with Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike in New Delhi over alleged irregularities in the examination system, including the NEET. Activists from the Hindus for Human Rights and the Azadi Project gathered at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi near the Indian Embassy in Washington on Friday evening with placards carrying slogans in support of Wangchuk. The activists also raised slogans against the Indian government and demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Earlier this week, Hindus for Human Rights urged the Indian government to reach out to Wangchuk and other protesters who are on a hunger strike.Sagarika Ghosh slams Centre after Wangchuk shifted to hospitalJuly 18, 2026 11:18 amTMC leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghosh criticised the Narendra Modi-led Union Government after activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted from his protest site at Jantar Mantar to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital. Ghosh posted on X: “What sort of shocking coercive state violence is this? The morally bankrupt @narendramodi regime only knows how to use the danda. UNACCEPTABLE.” Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut shared a video of the action at Jantar Mantar, alleging, “Delhi Police picked up Sonam Wangchuk forcefully.”CPI(M) condemns police action against Wangchuk, DipkeJuly 18, 2026 10:39 amCPI(M) general secretary M A Baby condemned the police action against activist Sonam Wangchuk and Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijit Dipke, accusing the Centre of suppressing peaceful protests instead of acting against those responsible for the alleged NEET paper leak. In a post on X, Baby slammed the government for not acting against the alleged paper leaks. “Strongly condemn the detention of Sonam Wangchuk and Abhijeet Dipke by Delhi Police. Instead of sacking the Education Minister under whose nose the scandalous leak of papers happened and dismantling the system that continues to ruin the future of lakhs of students, the government is coming down with a heavy hand on peaceful protesters,” Baby said in the post.Sharad Pawar slams Centre over ‘irresponsible’ handling of Wangchuk’s hunger strikeJuly 18, 2026 10:39 amNCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar slammed the Centre for its “irresponsible” handling of activist Sonam Wangchuk’s agitation, claiming the government remained a bystander rather than addressing the genuine demands of students. Speaking to reporters in Baramati, Pawar asserted that while the government moved to hospitalise Wangchuk as the situation became “uncontrollable”, the protest would continue regardless of the action against the activist.Security tightened at Jantar Mantar, Safdarjung Hospital after Wangchuk shifted amid protest rowJuly 18, 2026 10:36 amSecurity was stepped up in and around Jantar Mantar, across parts of the New Delhi district and at Safdarjung Hospital, where activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted on Saturday, officials said. There was a brief commotion during the early morning action at the Jantar Mantar protest site, with police claiming that some protesters attempted to obstruct the exercise. Heavy deployment of police personnel and paramilitary forces was made at the protest site in the heart of Delhi and nearby areas to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident, they said. Barricades were erected and security personnel positioned at key points to regulate the movement of protesters and visitors.Wangchuk weak due to prolonged fasting, dehydration but stable: Safdarjung HospitalJuly 18, 2026 10:32 amSonam Wangchuk is weak due to prolonged fasting and dehydration but is currently stable, Safdarjung Hospital said on Saturday. “Mr Sonam Wangchuck 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 said in a statement. According to the statement, Wangchuk was admitted to the hospital at 7.40 am on Saturday. Wangchuk had been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28. His health had shown a steady decline over the past three weeks. https://www.Jattvibe.com/news/delhi/wangchuk-weak-due-to-prolonged-fasting-dehydration-but-stable-safdarjung-hospital/CJP founder Dipke begins indefinite hunger strike after Wangchuk shifted to hospitalJuly 18, 2026 10:16 amCockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijit Dipke on Saturday announced that he was beginning an indefinite hunger strike shortly after activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted by Delhi Police to Safdarjung Hospital from the Jantar Mantar protest site. “I am starting an indefinite hunger strike beginning right now,” Dipke said in a post on X. https://www.Jattvibe.com/news/delhi/cjp-founder-abhijit-dipke-begins-indefinite-hunger-strike-after-wangchuk-shifted-to-hospital/Wangchuk’s wife says no treatment should be administered without her consentJuly 18, 2026 10:06 amThe Delhi Police has shifted activist Sonam Wangchuk to the Safdarjung Hospital, his wife Gitanjali J Angmo said on Saturday and asserted that no medical treatment should be administered to the activist without her consent. “He is at Safdarjung Hospital. I forbid them from administering anything without my consent. No treatment should start without my consent. I hold everybody accountable if anything happens,” Angmo told PTI. https://www.Jattvibe.com/news/delhi/no-treatment-without-my-consent-sonam-wangchuks-wife-pushes-back-after-his-hospitalisation/Delhi Police shift Sonam Wangchuk to hospital on 21st day of hunger strikeJuly 18, 2026 10:06 amTribune photo: Mukesh Aggarwal | Activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to a government hospital by Delhi Police on Saturday after his health deteriorated on the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar here, with the police citing medical advice and directions of the Delhi High Court. https://www.Jattvibe.com/news/delhi/sonam-wangchuk-removed-from-protest-site-taken-to-hospital-on-day-21-of-hunger-strike/