Sonam Wangchuk Hospitalised Amid Hunger Strike Row

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was moved from the Jantar Mantar protest site to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi on Saturday, as his indefinite hunger strike entered its 21st day. Delhi Police said the shift was carried out in line with Delhi High Court directions and on medical advice, given his worsening health. Hospital authorities later confirmed that Wangchuk was conscious and his vital signs were stable, though he remained weak and dehydrated from the prolonged fast.

Opposition Leaders Slam Police Action

The move sparked sharp criticism from opposition figures and protest organisers. Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that Wangchuk was forcibly dragged away by plainclothes officers posing as medical staff, and claimed he himself was assaulted while trying to reach the site. Leaders including Arvind Kejriwal, Chandrashekhar Azad, MA Baby and Anish Gawande condemned the action, calling it heavy-handed and an attack on peaceful dissent. Police maintained that some protesters attempted to obstruct the process but said the operation was carried out safely.

Family Demands Consent Before Treatment

Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, reached the hospital and said no oral or intravenous treatment should be administered without consent from her, the family, or the doctors who have monitored his health through the fast. The CJP also alleged restricted access to Wangchuk’s medical reports and limited communication with him at the hospital, though it said lawyers and personal doctors were later permitted to meet him.

Following the developments, Dipke announced he was beginning his own indefinite hunger strike and urged supporters to keep the movement going, with a planned march to Parliament still set for July 20. Electricity supply at the protest site was also cut off amid the standoff.