New Delhi: Tension gripped Delhi’s Jantar Mantar after an object was allegedly thrown at climate activist and engineer Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike. The allegation was made by Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), who claimed that unidentified individuals attempted to disrupt the peaceful protest. Wangchuk was reportedly not injured in the incident, but the allegations have sparked concerns among his supporters regarding his safety.
According to Dipke, the incident took place while Wangchuk was participating in the ongoing demonstration at Jantar Mantar. He alleged that an object was hurled toward the activist but fortunately did not cause any injury.
“Goons tried to attack Sonam sir at Jantar Mantar. An object was thrown at him, but fortunately, he was not hurt,” Dipke claimed while addressing supporters and the media.
Dipke further alleged that the incident was not unexpected. He claimed that he had received prior information suggesting that attempts would be made to disrupt the hunger strike. According to him, an “insider in the police” had informed him a few days earlier that people might be sent to create disturbances at the protest site.
“A few days ago, I had warned that people would be sent to Jantar Mantar to disrupt the protest after I was informed by an insider in the police,” Dipke alleged. He further stated that if anything were to happen to Wangchuk, the government should be held responsible, claiming there was a deliberate attempt to dismantle what he described as a peaceful and democratic protest.
The allegations have not been independently verified, and Delhi Police had not issued any official statement confirming the alleged attack at the time this report was written. There has also been no official confirmation regarding the claim that individuals deliberately tried to disrupt the protest.
The incident comes as Sonam Wangchuk entered the 21st day of his hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. Wangchuk has been staging the fast to draw attention to issues concerning Ladakh, including demands related to constitutional safeguards, environmental protection, and the preservation of the region’s cultural identity. His protest has attracted support from students, environmental activists, civil society groups, and citizens from different parts of the country.
On Saturday, another development added to the controversy when Wangchuk was taken to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police. Dipke alleged that the activist was taken “forcefully” from the protest site against his wishes. Videos circulating on social media showed police personnel escorting Wangchuk from the protest venue, though the exact circumstances surrounding the move remain unclear.
Authorities have not officially stated whether Wangchuk was shifted to the hospital as a precautionary medical measure due to his prolonged fast or for any other reason. Given that hunger strikes extending over several weeks can pose serious health risks, medical intervention is often recommended by doctors to monitor the condition of protesters. However, no official medical bulletin regarding Wangchuk’s health had been released at the time of publication.
The alleged attack and Wangchuk’s transfer to the hospital have generated widespread discussion on social media, with supporters expressing concern over his safety and calling for transparency regarding the events at Jantar Mantar. Several users demanded an impartial inquiry into the allegations, while others urged authorities to ensure adequate security for peaceful demonstrators.
As of now, the claims made by Abhijeet Dipke remain allegations, and there has been no independent confirmation from law enforcement agencies or other official sources. The circumstances surrounding the alleged object being thrown, the identity of those involved, and the reasons for Wangchuk’s transfer to Safdarjung Hospital are yet to be officially clarified.
The developments have once again drawn national attention to Wangchuk’s ongoing protest and the broader issues he has been raising. As the situation continues to unfold, statements from Delhi Police, hospital authorities, and government officials are expected to provide greater clarity on the incident. Until then, many questions surrounding the alleged disruption and Wangchuk’s removal from the protest site remain unanswered.