Delhi police shift Wangchuk to hospital following HC directive; CJP protests continue
text_fields
New Delhi: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on hunger strike at Jantar Mantar for 20 days, was moved to hospital early Saturday after his condition worsened, authorities said.
Delhi Police said the transfer followed directions from the Delhi High Court and medical advice. Police reached the protest site amid slogans and demonstrations by members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has been leading the agitation demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged NEET paper leaks.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) said on X that, “As per orders of Hon’ble High Court and on expert medical advise due to the deteriorating health condition of Sh. Sonam Wangchuk, he has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care.” The post added that protestors tried to obstruct the move, causing a brief commotion, but police exercised restraint and carried out the operation safely, and appealed to protesters to vacate Jantar Mantar peacefully.
The police action preceded a scheduled Delhi High Court hearing on Wangchuk’s health. Earlier this week the court had ordered daily clinical assessments and instructed the Centre to ensure all necessary medical intervention, noting that “the life of any citizen is precious.”
Doctors monitoring Wangchuk on Friday described his condition as critical and warned of possible organ failure. Medical bulletins reported that the 59-year-old had lost more than eight kilograms since the start of his indefinite fast.
Wangchuk began the hunger strike demanding Pradhan’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET exam. The CJP organised the protest and has also demanded broader reforms in the education system.
Several Opposition figures, including Congress leader Pawan Khera, Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav and Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal, visited Wangchuk at the site in recent days urging him to end the fast. Protesters have called for a march to Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session on July 20 and invited political parties to join.
(Inputs from IANS)
