Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday confirmed that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has been admitted for medical treatment after being brought from Jantar Mantar, where he had been on an indefinite hunger strike for the past 20 days. The hospital said he is currently stable but requires continuous medical monitoring due to the effects of prolonged fasting.
In an official statement, the hospital said, "Sonam Wangchuk was received and admitted at Safdarjung Hospital for required health care at 7.40 am today. He is weak due to prolonged fasting and dehydration."
It further stated, "Although he is currently stable, he requires continuous observation, monitoring and treatment to restore his body parameters."
Shifted from Jantar Mantar
The hospital's statement came hours after Delhi Police removed Wangchuk from the protest site, saying the action was taken on the advice of medical experts and in compliance with the Delhi High Court's directions.
The High Court had earlier instructed the authorities to regularly monitor Wangchuk's health and ensure that medical intervention was provided whenever necessary.
Police shifted the activist to the hospital early on Saturday after his health reportedly deteriorated following nearly three weeks of fasting.
Allegations over police action
The removal triggered a brief confrontation at Jantar Mantar, with protesters alleging that Wangchuk was forcibly taken away. Delhi Police, however, maintained that the operation was conducted with restraint despite attempts by protesters to obstruct it.
Videos from the protest site showed police personnel surrounding Wangchuk with white sheets before carrying him to a waiting ambulance.
Security was subsequently increased at both Safdarjung Hospital and Jantar Mantar to prevent any law and order issues.
Wife questions hospitalisation
Following his admission, Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, urged hospital authorities not to administer any medication or fluids, either orally or intravenously, without the consent of the family and the doctors who had been monitoring his health throughout the hunger strike.
She also questioned the necessity of hospitalising him, claiming that he had appeared stable a day earlier.
Meanwhile, Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijit Dipke announced that he would continue the indefinite hunger strike after Wangchuk's removal. Dipke also alleged that he was assaulted and briefly detained by police during the operation, an allegation denied by Delhi Police.
Protest over NEET controversy
Wangchuk began his hunger strike on June 28 in support of a campaign demanding accountability over the alleged NEET-UG examination paper leak, a judicial inquiry into examination-related irregularities, and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Despite Wangchuk's removal, AISA members Neha, Aameen, and Manish, who are associated with the protest, continued their hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.
With Wangchuk now under medical supervision, attention is expected to remain focused on both his recovery and the future of the protest, which organisers have said will continue despite his removal from the demonstration site.
