Prominent Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk was taken to a hospital on Saturday after his health deteriorated during a 20-day hunger strike demanding reforms to the country`s education system.
Security was tightened around Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, where Wangchuk had been leading the protest alongside students and activists from the Cockroach Janta Party.
The protesters are calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over allegations of examination paper leaks.
They are also demanding sweeping reforms to India`s examination system and compensation for the families of students who died by suicide following the alleged leaks or exam results.
Wangchuk, a 59-year-old engineer and education reform advocate, has emerged as the face of the movement, which began in May after Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant likened some unemployed young people to "cockroaches" during a hearing in an unrelated case.
Supporters later adopted the term as a symbol of resilience, helping the movement gain widespread attention on social media.
Delhi Police said Wangchuk was shifted to a hospital on medical advice and in compliance with a court directive after his condition worsened due to the prolonged fast.
Police said a brief scuffle broke out when some protesters attempted to prevent officers from taking him to hospital.
The Cockroach Janta Party, however, alleged in a social media post that Wangchuk had been "forcefully abducted" by the government without the consent of him or his family.
Authorities deployed additional police and paramilitary personnel and erected extra barricades around the protest site, saying the heightened security was a precautionary measure while urging demonstrators to cooperate with law enforcement.
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