NEW DELHI: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Tuesday claimed that activist Sonam Wangchuk had agreed to end his indefinite hunger strike after repeated requests from fellow protesters.However, Dipke said Wangchuk reversed his decision after witnessing Monday’s police action against demonstrators during the party’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ march.Speaking at Jantar Mantar, where he continues his sit-in protest, Dipke said Wangchuk had been persuaded to call off his fast after 23 days as fellow activists feared for his health.“Yesterday, Sonam Wangchuk was going to end his hunger strike. We convinced him after a lot of efforts. We told him, ‘Sir, please end your hunger strike tomorrow. We cannot put your life in any more risk. Your life is too valuable for this country.’ He somewhat got convinced,” Dipke told PTI.However, he alleged that Wangchuk changed his decision after seeing what he described as the “brutality” by the police during Monday’s protest.“But after seeing yesterday’s brutality by the government and police, Sonam sir has continued with his hunger strike. He announced that he would not back away from his hunger strike,” Dipke said.Expressing concern over Wangchuk’s health, Dipke claimed doctors had warned that his body could only withstand the fast for another “20-21 days” and that prolonged fasting could put his life at risk.“Till the time he was here, he was losing muscle mass. Doctors had warned that his organs could be damaged after three-four days. It’s been four days since Sonam sir was taken to the hospital. We didn’t want him to continue fasting. It’s very sad that he had to extend his hunger strike, and that too due to police brutality,” he said.Dipke alleged that police had “tortured and lathi-charged students” during Monday’s march, saying Wangchuk decided to continue his fast keeping those incidents in mind.Monday’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ march witnessed repeated clashes between protesters and police after demonstrators attempted to march towards Parliament despite prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS.Police used lathis and tear gas to disperse the crowd, while Delhi Police later registered an FIR at Connaught Place Police Station against unidentified persons in connection with the violence and alleged vandalism during the march.CJP, meanwhile, accused Delhi Police of using excessive force during the crackdown, alleging that volunteers were beaten, dragged on roads and seriously injured.Party spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka claimed Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, was dragged out of a truck by her hair and that several volunteers sustained serious injuries. Police, on the other hand, alleged that several personnel were injured after protesters pelted stones during the clashes.The protest at Jantar Mantar entered its second day on Tuesday, with Dipke continuing his sit-in while supporters remained at the site despite overnight rain.
