Indian climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk, now on the 20th day of an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar (a historic public protest ground in central New Delhi), has pledged to stay alive until July 20, when he plans to lead a peaceful march to Parliament demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET exam paper-leak scandal. Doctors warn his condition has become critical — he has lost over 9 kg and his body is believed to be breaking down muscle tissue, with organs potentially at risk next — prompting the Delhi High Court to order both the Union and Delhi governments to ensure regular medical monitoring of his health. The protest has drawn widening public support, with opposition politicians and Bollywood figures rallying behind Wangchuk, while the government has yet to engage in formal dialogue with demonstrators.
Mosaic News
Sonam Wangchuk vows to survive until July 20 Parliament march as hunger strike enters critical phase[Updated]
The Delhi High Court agreed Monday to hear Angmo's appeal at 2:30 p.m. after Justice Mini Pushkarna had refused in a special Sunday hearing to order Wangchuk's transfer to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, ruling that his removal to Safdarjung was not arbitrary and that no immediate transfer was required. Angmo's appeal argues the single judge's order effectively confines Wangchuk without arrest and fails to address informed consent or a patient's right to refuse treatment. Safdarjung Hospital confirmed Sunday that Wangchuk had declined all recommended interventions, including intravenous fluids, oral rehydration solution, and medications, despite repeated counselling from his treating team and an independent expert. Angmo also described some 30 police personnel stationed on the family's floor and more than 100 across the hospital, calling the situation
Delhi Police forcibly removed Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar stage on Saturday morning, the 21st day of his strike, covering him with bedsheets before loading him into an ambulance and admitting him to Safdarjung Hospital, citing his deteriorating health and the Delhi High Court's earlier directive. Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke, who had briefly left the site to freshen up at a friend's house, was detained by police and alleges he was beaten before being released; he has since begun an indefinite fast in Wangchuk's place and vowed the July 20 Parliament march will proceed. Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali Angmo posted on X that she was at Safdarjung Hospital and warned that nothing should be administered to him orally or intravenously without consent from family and his medical team. NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar condemned the Centre's handling of the agitation as "irresponsible," while police asked remaining protesters at Jantar Mantar to vacate the site.