Sonam Wangchuk Shifted To Hospital After Delhi High Court Order Amid Deteriorating Health

Climate and education activist Sonam Wangchuk was suddenly shifted from the Jantar Mantar protest site to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital early Saturday morning, on the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike, after the Delhi High Court directed authorities to ensure his medical safety amid a rapidly worsening health condition.

Confirming the move, Delhi Police said Wangchuk was hospitalised "as per orders of Hon'ble High Court and on expert medical advise due to the deteriorating health condition" of the activist. The police statement added that while officials were complying with the court's directions, some protestors at the site "tried to create obstruction, in which slight commotion ensued." However, the force maintained that personnel "took maximum restrain and undertook the exercise safely." Police also appealed to demonstrators at Jantar Mantar to vacate the protest site peacefully.

The hospitalisation follows an order passed by the Delhi High Court two days earlier, directing authorities to carry out daily clinical health checks on Wangchuk. The court had observed that the life of any citizen is precious, and had asked that necessary medical intervention be provided whenever required, effectively placing the state under a continuing obligation to monitor the activist's condition even as he refused hospitalisation.

Wangchuk has been fasting at Jantar Mantar since June 28, in support of the Cockroach Janta Party's protest that began on June 20 over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and the deaths of students linked to the controversy. The protestors have been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a judicial probe into the alleged exam scam, and systemic reforms to India's examination process. On July 13, Wangchuk had reportedly declined to be shifted to hospital despite a medical report flagging concerns about his condition.

The hospitalisation has not gone unchallenged. His wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, pushed back after learning he had been taken to Safdarjung Hospital, insisting that "no treatment should start without my consent." She questioned the timing, saying he had appeared fine only a day earlier, and said she would hold authorities accountable for any consequences.

On Friday night, before the shift, Wangchuk had spoken of the physical toll of the fast, saying he had "lost 20 per cent of my body" during the strike, and reiterated his resolve to continue despite deteriorating health. He had also pointed to past instances of governments acting swiftly on far smaller public grievances, arguing the youth-led demand deserved similar urgency.

The development comes just two days ahead of the planned "Chalo Sansad" march to Parliament, scheduled for July 20, which organisers have said will proceed as planned despite the disruption at the protest site.