NEW DELHI – A leading Indian activist was taken to a New Delhi hospital by police on Saturday after his condition worsened on the 20th day of a hunger strike linked to the fast-growing Cockroach Janta Party campaign for education reform.
Security was stepped up around Jantar Mantar, the capital’s designated protest site, where police barricades now surround an encampment of students, activists and supporters of the Cockroach Party. The demonstrators are demanding the resignation of India’s education minister following allegations that examination papers were leaked before scheduled tests.
Sonam Wangchuk, a 59-year-old engineer and education reform advocate, has emerged as a central figure in the protest. The Cockroach Janta Party movement began in May after Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant, during an unrelated hearing, likened some unemployed young people to “cockroaches.” Rather than reject the remark, supporters adopted it as a symbol of endurance, transforming the insult into a sharp-edged satirical political movement that drew more than 21 million Instagram followers within days.
At the heart of the campaign are calls for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to step down over the alleged exam leaks. Protesters are also pressing for broad changes to India’s examination system and financial compensation for families of students who died by suicide in connection with the leaks or exam results.
Delhi Police said Wangchuk was shifted to hospital after doctors raised concerns about his deteriorating health. Officials said the move followed medical advice and a court order. Police also reported a brief disturbance at the site when some protesters attempted to prevent the transfer.
In a post on social media, the Cockroach Party accused the government of having “forcefully abducted” Wangchuk “without his or his family’s consent.”
Authorities have since deployed more police and paramilitary personnel around Jantar Mantar and reinforced barricades in the area. Police described the increased security presence as a precautionary measure and appealed to protesters to cooperate with officials.
