Delhi Police Takes Sonam Wangchuk to Hospital After 20-day Hunger Strike at Jantar Mantar

New Delhi: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar for the last 20 days, was hospitalized by the Delhi Police on Saturday morning, officials said. A heavy presence of Delhi Police personnel was deployed at the protest site after Wangchuk was hospitalised.

The development comes two days before a planned march to Parliament by Wangchuk and his supporters on July 20.

More details about his condition and the circumstances that led to his hospitalization are awaited.

Meanwhile, late on Friday night, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) Founding President Abhijeet Dipke claimed that Wangchuk was attacked at the protest site in Jantar Mantar. Health parameters on Friday showed that his weight was 56.55 kg, a decrease of 350 grams in 24 hours. According to Dr Satish Lamba of Delhi Medical Association, his blood pressure was recorded at 108/68, blood sugar at 70 mg/dL and pulse at 72 beats per minute.

Several Opposition leaders visited Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar on Friday to express solidarity and inquire about his health. Among those who met him were Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule, SP MP Dimple Yadav, Congress leader Pawan Khera and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray. UBT Sena Leader Aaditya Thackeray criticized the Center for Wangchuk’s hunger strike, calling it the “most insensitive government” and alleged that the government did not respond to the activist’s demands despite his long fast. AIMIM national spokesperson Waris Pathan also appealed to the Center to meet Wangchuk and consider his demands, while urging students and parents to support the activist.

The Delhi High Court on Thursday ordered daily clinical monitoring of Wangchuk’s medical condition during his hunger strike. The court observed that “every citizen’s life is precious and government authorities must make every effort to save it.” He also directed that any necessary medical attention be provided based on the opinion of government doctors. The directions were passed by the Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia during the disposal of a public interest litigation expressing concern over Wangchuk’s deteriorating health.

Wangchuk, an engineer, education reformer and climate activist from Ladakh, was on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over allegations of exam irregularities across the country, including the NEET paper leak controversy. He and his supporters had also announced that they would march to Parliament on July 20 to press for their demands.