Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijit Dipke on Saturday launched an indefinite hunger strike shortly after activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted from the Jantar Mantar protest site to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital by the police.
Announcing his decision on X, Dipke said, “I am starting an indefinite hunger strike beginning right now.”
Wangchuk was taken to the hospital early on Saturday after his health deteriorated on the 21st day of his indefinite fast. Delhi Police said the move was carried out on the advice of medical experts and in compliance with directions issued by the Delhi High Court.
Following the police action, Dipke alleged that he had been assaulted and detained by Delhi Police during what he described as a crackdown on protesters at Jantar Mantar. The police, however, maintained that Wangchuk was shifted solely for essential medical care and appealed to protesters to peacefully vacate the protest site.
Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 in support of the CJP-led agitation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and the reported deaths of students linked to the controversy.
Dipke’s announcement came as the protest at Jantar Mantar continued, with All India Students’ Association (AISA) activists Neha, Aameen and Manish also remaining on an indefinite hunger strike following Wangchuk’s hospitalisation.
