New Delhi: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Saturday alleged that Delhi Police assaulted him and prevented him from reaching Jantar Mantar after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to a hospital following a deterioration in his health.
Speaking to reporters, Dipke claimed that police forcibly removed Wangchuk from the protest site in the early hours of the day and vowed that the agitation would continue. He also announced that he would begin an indefinite hunger strike.
According to Dipke, police personnel allegedly stopped him from entering the protest venue and used force against him. He further claimed that several legislators and Members of Parliament were also prevented from accessing the protest site.
“The protest will continue. I am beginning my fast from today, and our planned march to Parliament on July 20 will also go ahead,” Dipke said, accusing the authorities of attempting to suppress the movement by shifting Wangchuk to the hospital.
Wangchuk, who had been on a 20-day hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, was admitted to a hospital on Saturday after his health reportedly worsened. The move was carried out following medical advice and in compliance with directions issued by the Delhi High Court, which had instructed authorities to conduct daily health assessments and ensure necessary medical intervention.
Police personnel reached the protest site in the morning and shifted Wangchuk amid protests and sloganeering by CJP supporters and others gathered at the venue.
The agitation is being led by the CJP, which is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
Reacting to the development, Samajwadi Party MP Pushpendra Saroj termed the police action “unfortunate” and alleged that Wangchuk was forcibly removed from the protest site despite widespread public support for his hunger strike.
The Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear the matter concerning Wangchuk’s health. Earlier, the court observed that “the life of any citizen is precious” and directed the Centre to ensure appropriate medical care for the activist.
Meanwhile, the protesters have reaffirmed their plan to march to Parliament on July 20, coinciding with the start of the Monsoon Session, and have appealed to political parties to join the demonstration in support of their demand for the resignation of the Union Education Minister.
