Sonam Wangchuk, who was on hunger strike for 20 days, was removed from Jantar Mantar by Delhi Police and admitted to Safdarjung Hospital. His wife has refused to give any treatment without the consent of the family. Wangchuk is protesting regarding the NEET paper leak issue.
New Delhi [भारत]July 18 (ANI): Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Geetanjali J Angmo on Saturday urged doctors at Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital not to give her husband any oral or intravenous treatment without the consent of the family and the medical team that was monitoring his health during his 20-day hunger strike.
In a post on X, Angmo said, “I am at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi where @Wangchuk66 has been admitted. Nothing should be given to him orally or intravenously without the consent of me, his family and the doctors who have been monitoring his health for the last 20 days.” I am at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi where @Wangchuk66 has been admitted. Nothing should be given to him orally or intravenously without the consent of me, his family and the doctors who have been monitoring his health for the last 20 days. — Gitanjali J Angmo (@GitanjaliAngmo) July 18, 2026
His statement came after Wangchuk was removed from the Jantar Mantar protest site by Delhi Police and taken to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday morning. Wangchuk is conscious, all his vital parameters are stable, and he has been admitted to the emergency ward under medical observation.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police removed protesters from the Jantar Mantar protest site after Wangchuk was admitted to hospital. A large number of police personnel were seen deployed in the area and protesters were asked to vacate the area.
Why did the police take this step?
In a post on Twitter, New Delhi’s Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) said Wangchuk was admitted to the hospital following the directions of the Delhi High Court and on the advice of medical experts due to his deteriorating health. The DCP said, “On the orders of the Hon’ble High Court and due to the deteriorating health condition of Shri Sonam Wangchuk, on expert medical advice, he has been admitted to the hospital for necessary medical care. While following the orders of the Hon’ble High Court, the protesters tried to create obstruction, which resulted in a slight disturbance, however, the police exercised maximum restraint and completed the process safely.”
DCP New Delhi Sachin Sharma later told reporters that Wangchuk was admitted to an appropriate government hospital for urgent medical intervention and is under medical observation.
Opposition raised questions on police action
This action of the police was strongly criticized by many opposition leaders. AAP leaders Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and Saurabh Bhardwaj alleged that the government was suppressing peaceful protests, while Trinamool Congress leader Sagarika Ghosh and Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav also condemned the action.
Meanwhile, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founding president Abhijit Dipke alleged that the police forcibly took away Wangchuk and claimed that he was attacked when he was trying to reach the protest site. CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das also alleged that Dipke was stopped by the Delhi Police and lathi-charged on students at the protest site. There was no immediate official reaction to these allegations.
Why is Wangchuk on hunger strike?
Wangchuk is on a hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged nationwide examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak controversy. He and his supporters had also announced a march to Parliament on July 20 to press for their demands.
On Thursday, the Delhi High Court had directed that Wangchuk’s medical condition be monitored daily during his hunger strike. The court had remarked that “the life of every citizen is precious and government authorities must make every possible effort to save it.” The court also directed that any medical intervention required be provided based on the opinion of government doctors. (ANI)
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