Concerns grow over the health of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on day 19 of a hunger strike in solidarity with CJP’s demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation
NEW DELHI — A petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court, challenging the Delhi Police’s continuous and widespread surveillance of citizens participating in the peaceful sit-in and hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in the national capital, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
In a plea filed through advocates Subhash Chandran K R and Anirudh K P, former president of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union Aishe Ghosh argued that the surveillance amounts to an unconstitutional intrusion into the fundamental rights of protesters.
Ghosh has been part of the ongoing protest organised by the CJP since its inception.
Earlier, a group of Supreme Court lawyers and retired judges indicated that they would move the Delhi High Court seeking directions to stop alleged police surveillance and videography of the protesters.
The petition comes amid growing concerns over the health of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on day 19 of a hunger strike in solidarity with CJP’s demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over alleged exam irregularities.
A delegation of lawyers and retired judges visited the protest site on Tuesday and alleged that 25-30 police photographers were present, filming protesters, including women students, even while they were asleep. “We have come here to see how the students are treated. We found police were taking photographs of all those who came to meet Sonam Wangchuk and CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke,” advocate Subhash Chandran told reporters.
The CJP sit-in began on June 20, demanding accountability for NEET-UG paper leaks and 13 student suicides linked to exam stress. Wangchuk joined on June 28 and started an indefinite hunger strike.
As of Thursday, the protest was on its 27th day. Medical reports cited by organisers said Wangchuk has lost 9 kg, with blood glucose dropping to 67 mg/dL and BP to 107/70.
A young protester was also hospitalised on Monday after fainting at the site.
Court on Wangchuk’s Health
The Delhi Court on Wednesday directed the Centre and the Delhi government to ensure that Wangchuk’s medical condition is “clinically and otherwise” monitored on a daily basis and that any medical intervention required to address his deteriorating health is promptly provided.
A Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia passed the direction while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking urgent intervention to safeguard Wangchuk’s health.
The deteriorating health prompted a joint appeal on Monday from eminent citizens, including Arundhati Roy, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah and Jayati Ghosh. They urged protesters to end the hunger strike “in the interests of the longer and more difficult struggle ahead,” while reiterating support for the demand for Pradhan’s resignation.
Former Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal also appealed to Wangchuk to call off the fast, calling him a “national treasure”
Political Backing Grows
Support for the agitation grew over the weekend with visits from SP MP Pushpendra Saroj, former Kerala health minister K K Shailaja, AAP leaders Atishi and Sanjay Singh. CJP has also written to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge seeking support.
Addressing the gathering, Shailaja alleged the recurring paper leaks “could not happen without the awareness of the Union Education Ministry” and backed the demand for Pradhan to step down.
Pradhan had earlier rejected the protests in a June 23 interview, branding CJP the “B-team of terrorists” and accusing rival parties of trying to create “anarchy”.
CJP leaders said a march to Parliament is scheduled for July 20, when the monsoon session begins.
Police had said permission for the sit-in ended at 5 pm on June 20, but organisers have continued the protest at Jantar Mantar.
