Kejriwal slams Center over Sonam Wangchuk's hospitalization, calls it 'arrogance'

Security personnel check sheets and keep vigil as invisible activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 21 days, is transferred to a hospital from Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, Saturday, July 18, 2026. | Photo credit: PTI

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday (July 18, 2026) criticized the Delhi Police’s transfer of activist Sonam Wangchuk to hospital, saying “such arrogance is not right”.

“Instead of lifting him (Mr Wangchuk) by force, the Modi government should have spoken to Sonam Wangchuk,” Mr Kejriwal said in a post on X.

Also Read: Sonam Wangchuk hunger strike LIVE

“Instead of crushing the cockroach movement, reform the education and examination system in the country,” adding, “The push against Sonam Wangchuk is a defeat for the Modi government.”

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP and AAP leader Sanjay Singh strongly criticized the move, alleging that no representative from the Center spoke to the activist during his fast and alleged that the police used force against the protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar.

Mr. Singh further claimed that the action was taken ahead of the protest by a proposed march to Parliament on July 20 and appealed to the youth to continue supporting Mr. Wangchuk’s agitation.

According to him, attempts to suppress the movement by police actions would not succeed.

AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed that plainclothes police personnel entered the protest site carrying a white sheet to block the camera’s view during the operation, claiming that this was done to prevent any alleged handling of Wangchuk and other protesters from being captured on video.

In a post on X, AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha argued that governments with authoritarian tendencies are wary of mass movements and said that attempts to quell public protests ultimately proved counterproductive.

Fear is natural, the dictator has always been afraid of mass movement

Trying to end a mass movement always ends up with a dictator. https://t.co/FRcifP0FIY

— Sanjeev Jha (@Sanjeev_aap) July 18, 2026

He said such movements cannot be ended by force or intimidation.

According to the Delhi Police, Mr. Wangchuk was taken to the hospital after expert medical advice due to his deteriorating health and in accordance with the directions of the Delhi High Court.

“Based on the orders of the High Court and on the advice of a specialist doctor, Sonam Wangchuk was taken to hospital for necessary medical treatment due to her deteriorating health condition. The protesters, in accordance with the orders of the High Court, attempted to create a roadblock during which there was a slight ruckus. However, the police exercised utmost restraint and conducted the exercise safely,” the police said in a statement.

Mr. Wangchuk and three activists from the All India Students’ Association (AISA) have been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 in support of a protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party at Jantar Mantar over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and reported deaths of students linked to the controversy.

Their health had been steadily deteriorating for the past three weeks.

The Delhi High Court, which was monitoring the development, ordered that Mr. Wangchuk’s health be regularly assessed and that appropriate medical intervention be provided if necessary.

On Friday, doctors said Mr Wangchuk had lost almost 9.5kg since the hunger strike began. However, Mr Wangchuk said he was determined to continue the fast despite the deteriorating condition.

On Saturday, the Delhi Police said they had taken Mr. Wangchuk to a government hospital after his condition deteriorated, citing medical advice and Supreme Court directives.

However, AISA members Neha, Aameen and Manish continued their hunger strike at the protest site on the 21st. According to AISA, the protesters formed a human chain around them and prevented the police from forcibly removing them.

(with inputs from PTI)

Published – 18 Jul 2026 10:11 IST