India news: CJP to call for Modi's resignation, says Dipke

Here is a roundup of the latest news from India on Saturday, July 18:

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Dipke says to call for Modi's resignation, announces indefinite hunger strike

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke said on Saturday that the protest movement will now demand the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after announcing the start of his indefinite hunger strike.

Dipke's announcement came soon after activist Sonam Wangchuk was taken to a hospital by the Delhi Police on the 21st day of the activist's hunger strike.

The CJP alleged that police had "forcefully" taken Wangchuk away.

"If they think that taking Sonam Sir away will end this movement, they are mistaken. We will remain here, and will march to Parliament on July 20," Dipke said in a video addressing the media.

"Until now, we were demanding Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, but after this despicable act, we will now demand the resignation of Narendra Modi," he said.

"Abhijeet Dipke sits on an indefinite hunger strike," the CJP posted on X, adding that the planned march to the Indian parliament on Monday would continue as planned.

Police 'forcefully' move activist Sonam Wangchuk to hospital

Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to a hospital by Delhi Police on Saturday, the 21st day of his hunger strike in New Delhi, ahead of a planned march to Parliament on July 20.

The youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) alleged that police had "forcefully" taken Wangchuk away.

The New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police said in a post on X that the move was as per orders of the court and on expert medical advice "due to the deteriorating health condition" of Wangchuk, adding that it was to ensure "essential medical care."

Wangchuk, 59, has been fasting since June 28 in solidarity with students protesting an entrance exam scandal and demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said authorities prevented him from reaching the protest site on Saturday. A day earlier, Dipke said Wangchuk had lost about 8.7 kilograms (19.1 pounds) and appeared visibly weak, having suffered significant muscle loss.

Hello! This is Shakeel from DW's New Delhi Studio, bringing you the latest news from across India.

Early on Saturday, Delhi Police personnel removed activist Sonam Wangchuk from his protest site to a hospital. Wangchuk was on his 21st day of a hunger strike in New Delhi, along with supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demanding the resignation of India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged exam irregularities.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said authorities prevented him from reaching the protest site. In a post on X, Dipke alleged that Delhi Police was "cracking down at Jantar Mantar", "beating up people" and "taking away Sonam sir forcefully."

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