Sonam Wangchuk: Climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk was moved to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital early Saturday morning, marking the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. The protest has been demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Delhi Police said the shift followed Delhi High Court directions and expert medical advice, citing his sharply deteriorating health. Reports indicate his weight had fallen to around 56.55 kg during the fast.
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Abhijeet Dipke Alleges Mistreatment
Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke, whose party backed the hunger strike, claimed he was physically stopped and abused when police arrived at the protest site. He alleged the personnel who removed Wangchuk were acting under political direction rather than standard procedure, describing a chaotic early-morning scene with heavy police deployment and protester pushback.
Wife Demands Consent Before Treatment
Gitanjali J Angmo, Wangchuk’s wife, rushed to the hospital and posted a firm statement online, asserting that no oral or intravenous treatment should begin without approval from her, the family, and the doctors who had monitored her husband throughout the fast. She also questioned why hospitalisation was necessary, noting he had reportedly seemed stable the day before.
Highlights:
- Hunger strike began June 28 over NEET-related demands
- Wangchuk was due to lead a Parliament march on Monday
- Police say the move complied with High Court orders
- CJP protesters have occupied Jantar Mantar since June 20
What’s Next
With protesters cleared from the site, tensions between Wangchuk’s family, activists, and Delhi Police over medical consent and the protest’s future are set to escalate further this week.
