Indian police forcibly removed prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk from a protest site in New Delhi and transported him to a hospital on Saturday, citing concerns over his deteriorating health after a 20-day hunger strike.

Wangchuk, 59, had been fasting at the Jantar Mantar park, a historic site in the capital, as a central figure in a campaign demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protest centers on widespread allegations of corruption and mismanagement within India's national examination system.

A New Delhi police deputy commissioner stated that Wangchuk was "shifted to hospital for essential medical care" on the orders of the High Court, based on medical advice. Police reported a "slight commotion" when demonstrators attempted to prevent Wangchuk's removal, and urged other protestors to leave the Jantar Mantar site peacefully.

Just hours before his hospitalization, Wangchuk posted on X, formerly Twitter, "Smaller Movements have brought down many governments in India… Here it is about education." The activist, an engineer, is also known for his pioneering work in Himalayan water conservation projects.

The protest movement, which calls itself the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), gained momentum after India's Supreme Court chief justice used the term "cockroaches" to describe some unemployed young people. Initially expressed through online satire, the movement has drawn hundreds of students and activists to Jantar Mantar since Wangchuk began his fast on June 28.

Public criticism of India's examination system has intensified recently. Approximately 2.2 million aspiring doctors were required to retake the annual medical entrance exam last month under strict security measures following the leak of the May test's questions. The government had also temporarily banned the popular messaging app Telegram in an effort to curb further leaks.

The decision to void the exam and force students to retake it, after months of intense study and stress, caused significant outrage. Reports indicate that more than a dozen individuals were detained in connection with the exam leaks.

Wangchuk's hospitalization brings renewed attention to the ongoing concerns about the integrity of India's educational testing processes and the growing youth activism demanding systemic reforms.