CJP founder launches hunger strike after Wangchuk’s forcible hospitalization
Abhijeet Dipke says the party will now demand Modi’s resignation
New Delhi: Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), has launched an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi shortly after Delhi police forcibly shifted prominent environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk to hospital.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Wangchuk, who had been observing a hunger strike for the past 20 days in solidarity with students protesting irregularities in the NEET examination, was taken into custody and shifted to a hospital by Delhi Police in the early hours of Saturday.
Announcing his decision in a post on X, Dipke wrote, “I am starting an indefinite hunger strike beginning right now,” marking the next phase of group’s agitation. Addressing protesters at Jantar Mantar, he appealed to supporters not to lose momentum. “Do not back down; this movement will only grow stronger. 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 to Parliament on July 20,” he said.
Dipke also said that Delhi Police assaulted and detained him during the operation carried out to remove Wangchuk from the protest site.
Escalating the agitation, Dipke called for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation in addition to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. “If they think that taking Sonam Wangchuk away will end this movement, they are mistaken. We will remain here and march to Parliament on July 20,” Dipke said.” “Until now, we were demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. But after this despicable act, we will now demand Narendra Modi’s resignation,” he added.
The CJP has been spearheading protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi since June 20, demanding accountability over the examination irregularities and seeking the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan and comprehensive reforms in the country’s examination system.
Wangchuk, a renowned environmental activist from the Ladakh region of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), had joined the protest in solidarity with the students and had been observing an indefinite hunger strike for nearly 21 days before being removed by police.
Delhi Police, however, said Wangchuk was shifted to hospital in compliance with the Delhi High Court’s directions due to his deteriorating health and to ensure he received necessary medical treatment.
