Sonam Wangchuk Declares India in Undeclared Emergency, Threatens Hunger Strike

New Delhi, October 11: Social activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk stated in a video message released on Saturday that India is currently experiencing an “undeclared emergency.” He expressed his concerns on the platform X, highlighting the alarming situation in the world’s largest democracy.

Wangchuk had previously called for unity and peace for a demonstration scheduled for Saturday. However, he did not anticipate that the country would be in such a dire state. He expressed disappointment upon learning that many leaders who were supposed to lead the movement had been arrested.

He remains hopeful that those detained will be released soon. “If they are not released by tomorrow, I will be compelled to consider a hunger strike or a march,” Wangchuk warned.

This message was shared alongside a video recorded in Ladakh, and he used hashtags such as #JantarMantar, #CJP, and #CEC to amplify his message.

What Happened in New Delhi on Saturday

The Cockroach People’s Party (CJP) organized a protest at Jantar Mantar at 10 AM, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar due to discrepancies in the voter list and issues related to the Special Intensive Review (SIR). However, due to heavy police presence, protesters were unable to reach the site until 5 PM.

Police detained CJP leaders Abhijit Deepke, Saurav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka at the airport early in the morning. Supporters attempted to reach Jantar Mantar but were stopped by multiple layers of barricades. By evening, approximately 3,500 individuals had been detained, including prominent figures like Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal.

There were several clashes reported throughout the day. Protesters broke through barricades, leading to stone-pelting incidents near the Akashvani Bhavan, resulting in injuries to two police officers.

Timeline of Events

5:00 AM — Heavy police presence at Jantar Mantar with barricades on routes leading to the protest site.
7:00 AM — CJP founder Abhijit Deepke departs from Mumbai to Delhi.
7:45 AM — Police begin detaining individuals.
8:30 AM — Tear gas vehicles deployed.
9:30 AM — Increased security at IGI Airport; YouTuber Dhruv Rathee detained at his home in Gurugram.
10:50 AM — CJP leaders detained inside the aircraft upon arrival.
11:30 AM — Over 60 protesters detained near Bangla Sahib Gurudwara.
1:05 PM — Deepke releases a pre-recorded video, appointing Ajinkya Shinde to lead the movement.
2:00 PM — Mamata Banerjee detained while heading to Jantar Mantar; two former chief ministers also detained.
3:00 PM — Arvind Kejriwal detained outside his residence; several leftist leaders, including Neha Bora, also arrested.

Police Measures to Prevent the Protest

38,000 personnel deployed — 221 companies of CAPF (approximately 23,000 personnel) called in from October 8 to 12, along with at least 15,000 Delhi police officers.
250 trains canceled — All trains arriving in Delhi from 4 AM to 2 PM on Saturday.
Appeals to prevent students from attending — Contact made with university and college heads and PG owners.
45 metro stations closed — Entry and exit points shut; 10-foot barricades and tear gas vehicles positioned before Jantar Mantar.
Increased security at borders — Barriers and spikes set up on routes from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
150 body cameras issued — Frontline police officers equipped with body cameras; temporary detention centers established in stadiums.
Detentions initiated at the airport — Deepke, Ranka, and Das detained directly from their flight.

The Supreme Court had previously ordered that metro services should not be completely halted, yet 45 stations remained closed for entry and exit on Saturday.

What is the Cockroach People’s Party?

The Cockroach People’s Party (CJP) began as a movement led by Abhijit Deepke. The organization demands the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and a halt to the Special Intensive Review of the voter list. On October 9, leaders from the INDIA alliance submitted a memorandum to the President regarding these demands, and on the same day, Rahul Gandhi released a video message attacking the government in the Lok Sabha.

Protests also took place in Rajasthan on October 8, where INDIA alliance leaders demonstrated at the Collectorate Circle in Jaipur.

Wangchuk’s Previous Hunger Strike

Sonam Wangchuk previously undertook an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar from June 28, demanding reforms in the examination system due to alleged irregularities in NEET paper leaks and competitive exams. This hunger strike lasted 26 days and concluded on July 24, after the government provided written assurances on three issues. He was hospitalized at Safdarjung and later at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram due to health complications.

Author Profile

Ganpat Singh Chouhan: My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.