Ink hurled at CJP founder Dipke at Jantar Mantar amid NEET protest
Synopsis
Moments after declaring an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke had ink hurled at him by an unidentified woman — the latest flashpoint in a protest that has now seen climate activist Sonam Wangchuk hospitalised after 21 days on hunger strike. The NEET paper leak agitation is rapidly escalating.
Key Takeaways
An unidentified woman hurled an ink-like liquid at CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke at Jantar Mantar on 18 July .
Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to hospital after his health deteriorated following a 21-day hunger strike, on directions of the Delhi High Court .
The CJP has been protesting at Jantar Mantar since 6 June , demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the NEET paper leak .
Dipke announced an indefinite hunger strike and accused police of forcibly removing Wangchuk from the protest site.
The identity of the woman and motive behind the ink attack remain unascertained; police are expected to investigate.
An unidentified woman hurled an ink-like liquid at Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Saturday, 18 July, while he was addressing supporters at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The incident occurred shortly after climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk was removed from the protest site following a 21-day hunger strike.
What Happened at the Protest Site
Dipke had just announced he would begin an indefinite hunger strike in solidarity with Wangchuk when the woman stepped out from among the crowd and threw the liquid at him. The disruption triggered commotion at the venue, with supporters rushing towards the stage. The programme was briefly halted before order was restored.
The identity of the woman and the motive behind the act are yet to be established. Police are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the episode.
Wangchuk Shifted to Hospital on Court Directions
Earlier on Saturday morning, Sonam Wangchuk — who had been on an indefinite hunger strike since 28 June — was shifted to a hospital after his health deteriorated. The move was carried out in compliance with directions from the Delhi High Court and on the advice of medical experts.
Police personnel reached the protest site and transferred Wangchuk to the medical facility amid sloganeering and protests by CJP activists and members of the public gathered there. Dipke subsequently accused the police of forcibly removing Wangchuk from the site.
The Larger Protest: NEET Paper Leak Demands
The CJP has been protesting at Jantar Mantar since 6 June, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak case. Wangchuk, widely known for his work in Ladakh, had formally joined the demonstration on 28 June and commenced his own indefinite hunger strike the same day, lending significant public visibility to the agitation.
What Happens Next
Despite the disruption, Dipke declared that the protest would continue. His hunger strike announcement, made moments before the ink-throwing incident, signals an escalation in the CJP's campaign. The police investigation into the identity and motive of the woman is expected to provide further clarity on the episode. With Wangchuk now hospitalised and Dipke committing to a hunger strike, the protest at Jantar Mantar is likely to intensify in the coming days.
Point of View
Rather than addressing the underlying demand, keeps the political pressure alive without resolving it. The NEET paper leak controversy has already claimed significant public trust in the examination system; the government's continued silence on Pradhan's position risks turning a policy failure into a prolonged street confrontation. The CJP's escalation to hunger strikes — first Wangchuk, now Dipke — follows a well-worn playbook of civil agitation in India, one that tends to force a response only when health deteriorates or cameras multiply.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Abhijeet Dipke and what is the CJP protest about?
Abhijeet Dipke is the founder of the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), which has been protesting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi since 6 June, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak case. The protest gained wider attention after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk joined and began his own hunger strike on 28 June.
Why was Sonam Wangchuk shifted to hospital?
Sonam Wangchuk was hospitalised on 18 July after his health deteriorated following 21 days on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. The move was carried out on the directions of the Delhi High Court and on medical advice.
Who threw ink at Abhijeet Dipke and why?
The identity of the woman who hurled ink-like liquid at Dipke and her motive are yet to be ascertained, according to reports. Police are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
What is the NEET paper leak case?
The NEET paper leak refers to allegations that question papers for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), India's medical entrance examination, were leaked ahead of the exam. Protesters, including the CJP, have demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the controversy.
Will the Jantar Mantar protest continue after these incidents?
Yes. Dipke declared that the protest would continue despite the disruption and Wangchuk's hospitalisation. Dipke also announced he was beginning his own indefinite hunger strike, signalling an escalation of the agitation.
