A month-long Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demonstration at Jantar Mantar drew broader focus after Indian climate activist Sonam Wangchuk started a hunger strike in support of the protest. He was forcibly removed from the site by the police and taken to a hospital.
Almost 21 days had passed as 59-year-old Wangchuk’s has observed huger resolve gripped the nation, and he appeared visibly weaker with the passing days. He was lying down on the stage at Jantar Mantar, surrounded by young protesters appearing stronger than before for their rights. On the other side, Modi gave no reaction to this hunger facing criticism as several opposition leaders expressed solidarity with Wangchuk. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also began his own hunger protest after Wangchuk was taken away to the hospital, demanding the prime minister’s resignation. On the same day, the police forces climbed onto the stage and blocked the view of Wangchuk with white bedsheets as they whisked him away, claiming that is as per the orders of the court and experts’ medical advice. Thousands of supporters arrived at Jantar Mantar over the weekend in the aftermath of Wangchuk’s removal from the protest site.
