Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, on Saturday said no oral or intravenous treatment should be administered to him without the consent of his family and the doctors who had been monitoring his health throughout his indefinite hunger strike.
Her statement came after Wangchuk was admitted to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital when Delhi Police shifted him from the Jantar Mantar protest site early Saturday, as his hunger strike entered its 21st day.
“I am at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi where @Wangchuk66 has been admitted. Nothing should be administered to him orally or intravenously without taking consent from me, his family and his doctors who have been monitoring his health for the past 20 days,” Angmo said in a post on X.
She further stated that those overseeing Wangchuk’s treatment would be held accountable if anything happened to him. Angmo also questioned the necessity of hospitalising the activist, claiming that he had appeared to be in good condition on Friday.
The 59-year-old climate activist and education reformer was admitted to the emergency ward of Safdarjung Hospital. Hospital sources said he was conscious, his vital parameters were stable and he remained under medical supervision.
Wangchuk had been observing an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar since June 28 in support of a youth-led protest against alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including the NEET controversy.
Delhi Police said he was shifted to the hospital for “essential medical care” following expert medical advice and in compliance with directions issued by the Delhi High Court.
According to the police, Wangchuk’s health had been deteriorating and some protesters attempted to obstruct the operation, leading to a brief commotion. The force denied allegations of using excessive force and said protesters were asked to vacate the site peacefully.
There was no immediate confirmation on whether Wangchuk had ended his hunger strike or agreed to accept food or fluids after being admitted to the hospital.
Following Wangchuk’s removal from Jantar Mantar, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke announced that he had begun an indefinite hunger strike in solidarity with the activist.
Dipke said the protest would continue despite Wangchuk’s hospitalisation and confirmed that the organisation’s proposed “Chalo Sansad” march to Parliament on July 20 would go ahead as planned.
