- Security measures in force for public safety: police.
- Activist Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly taken to hospital.
- Wangchuk says the march will be “India’s second freedom movement.”
Indian police on Monday denied permission for a march on parliament by supporters of the youth-led “Cockroach” movement, risking a clash as calls grow for the dismissal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s education minister over exam leaks.
The movement has been galvanized since police forcibly took hunger striker Sonam Wangchuk to hospital on Saturday, and hundreds of supporters gathered at a protest site ahead of a march planned for the opening day of parliament’s monsoon session.
While the movement initially gained support primarily online (it amassed 22 million followers on Instagram within days of its formation in May after exam leaks affected millions), it has since broadened its appeal, presenting a major challenge to Modi.
Wangchuk, 59, said in a message posted by his wife on
But police said that in the New Delhi district there are orders in place prohibiting gatherings of five or more people, except at a designated site – the Jantar Mantar observatory – where protesters have already been camping for more than three weeks.
“As the parliament session begins on July 20, strict security measures have been put in place to ensure public safety, the safety of protectees and the protection of vital government facilities,” police said in X.
The Cockroach Janta Party said the march would go ahead as planned.
“The march will take place safely. We are figuring out the rest,” said a spokesman, who asked not to be identified before finalizing his plans.
Young people angry about unemployment and exam leaks
Earlier in the day, a Delhi court said authorities were within their rights to shift Wangchuk to a government hospital because he had not been admitted despite his deteriorating health.
Judge Mini Pushkarna said doctors had only administered oral fluids and supplements with Wangchuk’s consent, adding: “It cannot be said that any force is being used against Mr. Sonam Wangchuk or that his bodily autonomy is being violated in any way.”
Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, had sought permission to transfer him to the privately run Medanta Hospital, and his lawyers argued that he had the right to be treated at a hospital of his choice.
The government opposed the request, saying it had to be cautious about Wangchuk’s health and that his wife and close relatives had had 24-hour access to him.
Citing the heavy police presence at the hospital, Angmo said in X “this is not medical care. It is illegal detention.”
Safdarjung Hospital said Wangchuk’s vital parameters were stable, although his blood parameters remained “slightly altered” and he required round-the-clock monitoring.
The rise of the “Cockroach” movement reflects frustrations among young Indians over issues such as high youth unemployment and frequent exam leaks.
