SRINAGAR: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Saturday announced an indefinite hunger strike after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was removed from the protest site at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and taken to hospital as his fast entered its 21st day.
I am starting an indefinite hunger strike beginning right now.
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) July 18, 2026
Announcing the decision on X, Dipke said he was beginning an indefinite hunger strike “right now”, describing it as the next phase of the group’s agitation.
Addressing protesters, Dipke urged supporters not to withdraw from the movement and called on them to gather at Jantar Mantar. He said the protest would continue and that the group would go ahead with its planned march to Parliament on July 20.
“I appeal to everyone: do not back down; this movement will only grow larger. 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 scheduled for July 20,” he said.
Wangchuk, who joined the CJP-led agitation on June 28, was taken to VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday after completing 21 days of his indefinite hunger strike over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. He was removed from the protest site 48 hours before the group’s proposed march to Parliament.
Dipke also alleged that he was “beaten and put under detention” by the Delhi Police after Wangchuk was taken to hospital. There was no immediate response from the police to the claim.
I have been beaten up and put under detention by Delhi Police
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) July 18, 2026
Escalating the protest’s demands, Dipke said the movement would now seek the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in addition to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
“If they think that taking Sonam sir 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 leading protests at Jantar Mantar since June 20, demanding accountability over the alleged NEET examination irregularities and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Wangchuk joined the agitation on June 28 and had remained on an indefinite hunger strike until he was shifted to hospital on Saturday.
