Sonam Wangchuk Hospitalized Amid Swelling Protests at Jantar Mantar

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has been transferred from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram under heavy security. The move follows a Delhi High Court order issued after his wife, Gitanjali Angmo, challenged an earlier denial of specialized care. Wangchuk had been on a hunger strike as part of his movement, with his serum potassium levels dropping to a critical 3.2 mEq/L. Medical professionals from major Delhi hospitals have appealed to the President of India, emphasizing that hospitals must function as healing centers rather than sites of custodial detention.

Thousands of demonstrators, organized under the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), have occupied Jantar Mantar following police attempts to block their 'Chalo Sansad' march toward Parliament. Security forces implemented strict measures including Section 163 orders, barricades, and signal jammers, leading to violent clashes, lathi charges, and the use of tear gas. Demonstrators are demanding that Ladakh be included under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to protect its political and ecological rights. The protests have grown into a multi-faceted movement that also highlights grievances regarding the NEET-UG paper leak and broader concerns about regional autonomy.

The government's handling of the situation has drawn criticism from the opposition, with calls for the resignation of key ministers, including Amit Shah. Despite the heavy-handed security response, two CJP representatives have held preliminary talks with BJP leader JP Nadda, suggesting a potential shift toward dialogue. However, activists remain determined to continue their campaign, with plans for further demonstrations at Rashtrapati Bhavan to protest alleged police brutality. The movement’s trajectory now depends on whether ongoing negotiations can translate into meaningful policy shifts or if administrative suppression will persist, further straining local commerce and stability in the capital.