Sonam Wangchuk hunger strike Highlights: ‘No permission sought or granted'— Delhi Police ahead of CJP's march call

The biggest march in India's history is about to take place. For the past 10-12 years, attempts have been made to destroy democracy in this country. By sitting at Jantar Mantar for a month, you have revived democracy. People are arriving from all over the country. When I was in the USA, people used to tell me that no one would take to the streets—that it would remain nothing more than a social media trend. Look today at the four roads leading to Jantar Mantar; all of them are completely packed. No one can stop us from going to Parliament, says Abhijeet Dipke. Follow LIVE

Police personnel armed with lathis have been stationed near the SBI building on Parliament Street, while multiple police and private buses have been parked along both sides of the road as part of the security arrangements, as per HT.

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh addressed gathering from the Jantar Mantar stage.

Ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's proposed march to Parliament on Monday to press for education reforms, political leaders, actors and common people thronged the protest site at Jantar Mantar here, even as authorities put in place elaborate security arrangements and said that no permission has been sought for any such procession.

"We are determined not to allow any unauthorised march towards the high-security zone," police sources said, stressing that prohibitory orders have been imposed in New Delhi district and warning against any violation.

— PTI

Activist Sonam Wangchuk is willing to end his indefinite hunger strike if political leaders visit him at Safdarjung Hospital and assure him that the issue of education accountability will be taken up during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which begins on Monday, his wife Gitanjali Angmo said on Sunday.

"If political leaders meet Sonam at the hospital and assure him that they will raise the issue of education accountability during the Monsoon Session, he will end his hunger strike tomorrow," Angmo said, as per PTI.

"Sonam has requested all of us to take out tomorrow's march peacefully and ensure that the protest is not misused," Angmo stated, noting, “Sonam's health is perfectly fine. I tried my best in the high court to have him shifted to a private hospital, but I could not succeed.”

Former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Sunday urged all political parties to join the protest for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the NEET paper leak.

Addressing protesters at Jantar Mantar, Sisodia said education reforms need sustained efforts.

"Education reform is not a small task. It takes years of consistent effort. I have spent my life working for education reforms, and I am ready to dedicate the rest of my life to this cause," he said.

Sisodia called the protesters at Jantar Mantar "soldiers of the education revolution" and said Abhijeet Dipke and his companions have taken up the fight against the "education mafia."

The Aam Aadmi Party leader said Sonam Wangchuk has strengthened the movement by putting his own health at stake, and chastised the government for not yet speaking to the agitators.

"The central government has so far neglected this protest and ignored Sonam Wangchuk's appeal. That is why young people from across the country have come together to lead this movement. Their voice must be heard, and the issue should be discussed in Parliament," he said.

– PTI

Gitanjali Angmo conveyed a message from her husband, Sonam Wangchuk, to the protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar, urging them to ensure that the planned march remains peaceful and is not diverted from its purpose.

"Sonam has requested to take our march tomorrow peacefully and don't let this protest be misused," she said.

"As you saw, they took away Sonam sir forcefully. But his hunger strike is continuing in the hospital. Our protest is going on. Please come here in large numbers. Stay here through the night. If you don't come, they will try to end the protest," CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said in a video message.

On activist Sonam Wangchuk, NC President Farooq Abdullah mentioned, "Given the current situation, I wish to say this to the people of India, if we are to save India, we must save its democracy. India belongs to all of us and not to just one person. That is why it is so vibrant and diverse. We want India to remain vibrant, democracy to endure within it and for people to be valued. Yet, that sense of valuing people seems to be missing these days. I salute this son who is risking his life for the cause of his people. No one is separate from India, but to keep India alive, we need people like him."

A resident doctor at a government hospital in Uttar Pradesh has been suspended for allegedly holding a march in support of social activist Sonam Wangchuk, officials said on Sunday, as per PTI.

Maharaja Suheldeo Autonomous State Medical College Principal Dr Sanjay Khatri said Dr Roopak Ikhe has been suspended and a five-member committee has been formed to probe the matter. The panel has been asked to submit its findings within seven days, after which further action will be decided.

Khatri said Ikhe, a Maharashtra native with an MBBS degree, is currently pursuing a diploma in Anaesthesiology at the medical college.

According to officials, Ikhe carried out a solo march through the city on Friday evening while holding a placard and wearing a T-shirt with messages expressing support for Wangchuk.

Sonam Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali Angmo said, "Every free citizen of India has right to choose their medical treatment; 30-40 police personnel stationed outside his room and do not allow us to take our phones inside."

“This fight is not just about activist Sonam Wangchuk; this govt has stolen the future of youth,” said Uddhav Thackeray, as per PTI.

As Sonam Wangchuk continues to receive medical care at the hospital due to his deteriorating health, protesters and supporters have remained present at Jantar Mantar as part of the CJP protest.

Sharing fresh visuals from the protest site, the Cockroach Janta Party said the government would be compelled to hear the concerns of the youth.

"The deaf and dumb government will be forced to listen and speak to the youth!" wrote CJP.