A notable activist was moved to a hospital in New Delhi on Saturday after his health declined during a 20-day hunger strike. His strike is linked to India’s Cockroach Janta Party movement seeking education reform. The activist, Sonam Wangchuk, had been demonstrating alongside students and supporters calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. They allege exam papers were leaked in advance.
The movement demands major examination system reforms and compensation for families of students who have taken their own lives as a result of leaks and exam results. The 59-year-old engineer and education reform advocate’s protest has energized the movement, originating in May after Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Surya Kant, compared some jobless youths to ‘cockroaches.’ Supporters adopted this label as a symbol of resilience, creating a satirical campaign that quickly gained over 21 million Instagram followers.
Supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party protested in a sit-in, demanding Minister Pradhan’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET exam in New Delhi on July 18. According to Delhi Police, Wangchuk was moved to a hospital for medical reasons and a court order guided the hospitalization.
Sachin Sharma, a deputy commissioner of police, stated, “Mr. Sonam Wangchuk has been taken from the protest site to a designated government hospital. The move was medically advised and carried out under medical supervision.” The Cockroach Party, however, claimed on social media that Wangchuk was ‘forcefully abducted’ without his or his family’s consent.
Following the incident, Abhijeet Dipke, a Boston University student and founder of the Cockroach Party, declared his intention to commence a hunger strike. At the protest ground, Dipke alleged that police used force and that Wangchuk was ‘kidnapped by the police like criminals,’ saying they covered him with sheets while removing him. The party plans a march to India’s Parliament, intending it to coincide with the opening of its session.
Authorities have increased police and paramilitary presence and set up barricades around Jantar Mantar. They stated these measures are precautionary and requested cooperation from the protesters.
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