New Delhi — Climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police early Saturday morning, marking a dramatic escalation on the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. Wangchuk has been protesting against alleged irregularities in national exams, particularly the NEET-UG paper leak controversy, and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
High Court Intervention and Police Action
The police action followed directions from the Delhi High Court. Responding to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding Wangchuk's worsening condition, the court emphasized that the "life of every citizen is precious" and ordered regular clinical monitoring and necessary medical intervention to save his life.
According to statements from the Delhi Police, Wangchuk was moved for "essential medical care" upon expert medical advice. While the authorities maintained that the operation was conducted safely, protesting members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) — the satirical group spearheading the agitation — reported confusion and alleged that police forcefully removed Wangchuk from the stage amidst their objections.
Deteriorating Health Concerns
Medical bulletins had been raising alarms over the 59-year-old activist's health for several days. Doctors warned earlier in the week that his condition had reached an emergency phase with a genuine fear of organ failure. Wangchuk himself acknowledged in a video message on Friday that he had lost nearly 20% of his body weight (over 9.5 kg) since beginning his fast on June 28.
Following his hospitalization, Safdarjung Hospital released a health update stating that Wangchuk is "weak due to prolonged fasting and dehydration," but currently stable. He remains under continuous observation to restore his bodily parameters.
Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, who is currently at the hospital, has stated firmly that no oral or intravenous treatment should be administered without explicit consent from her, her family, and the private doctors who monitored him throughout the fast.
What’s Next for the Protest?
Despite his hospitalization, the movement shows no signs of dissipating. Prior to being moved, Wangchuk urged his supporters to remain strong, declaring he would stay alive "at any cost" for the CJP's proposed peaceful march to Parliament on July 20 — the first day of the Monsoon Session.
Following the police crackdown, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke was temporarily detained. After his release, Dipke addressed the remaining protesters at Jantar Mantar and announced his own indefinite hunger strike, reaffirming that the scheduled march to Parliament will proceed as planned.
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