Sonam Wangchuk considers fast if detained protesters are not released

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk said on October 10 that he would consider a hunger strike or a foot march if detained protesters in Delhi were not released by Sunday, October 11. He has not announced that either action has begun.

In a video message on X, Wangchuk expressed concern about the detention of political leaders and activists. The demonstration opposed Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, or SIR.

Wangchuk described the situation as an undeclared emergency. That was his political assessment of the authorities’ actions, rather than an announcement of a formal emergency declaration.

Those detained included Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal and All India Students’ Association representative Neha Bora. Kejriwal posted a video with Sanjay Singh, while Bora also reported her detention.

Delhi Police continued preventive detentions after telling participants the gathering had not been authorised. Police sources cited by The Times of India put the number detained at around 1,000 at the time of reporting, rather than giving a final total for the operation.