After the decision of Delhi HC, Sonam Wangchuk will be shifted from Safdarjung to Medanta Hospital. His wife Gitanjali said he felt like being ‘detained’ in the government hospital and that he would continue his hunger strike in support of the students.
New Delhi [भारत]July 21 (ANI): Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo on Tuesday welcomed the Delhi High Court’s decision to shift Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital. He alleged that the activist felt like “detention and imprisonment” in the hospital and said he would continue his hunger strike to show solidarity with the students who were allegedly beaten and tear gassed during the protests.
Speaking to reporters, Angmo said Wangchuk’s health parameters are not life-threatening and alleged that his hospitalization was unnecessary, as his health could have been monitored at Jantar Mantar. She said, “I thank the Delhi High Court for disposing of this matter favourably. In India, a democratic citizen has the right to choose the doctor, hospital and treatment of his choice. Here, we lacked confidence because of the way he was brought here. There was no need for his hospitalisation, as his health could be monitored at Jantar Mantar. It was a kind of detention so that he could not have contact with people outside. His health parameters were kept for life.” There is no danger. We are more concerned about his health than the government.”
Fast continues in support of students
Angmo said Wangchuk had decided to continue his fast to express solidarity with the students who were allegedly beaten up during the protests. “Sonam has decided to continue her fast in solidarity with the students who were beaten up yesterday,” he said.
‘Feeled like detention and imprisonment in the hospital’
He further said that many MPs who had come to Safdarjung Hospital were not allowed to meet Wangchuk. Angmo said, “Many MPs who had come to Safdarjung hospital were not allowed to meet him. Dr Lamba and Dr Dighe, who were treating him for the last 20 days, told the court today that even the treating doctor was not being allowed to meet the patient. We felt detained and imprisoned in that hospital.”
He said that Wangchuk will be shifted to Medanta Hospital after the written order of the court is issued. “After lunch, a written order will be given, then we will shift them to Medanta,” he said.
Angmo also reiterated that Wangchuk will continue his hunger strike until Parliament listens to the students’ concerns. She said, “Sonam has decided to continue the hunger strike. In solidarity with the children who were brutally beaten and tear gassed yesterday, she will continue the hunger strike until Parliament hears her voice.”
When asked about the alleged stone pelting by protesters, Angmo questioned the intention behind the question. He said, “Why are you asking this question? Is it to sensationalize the issue?”
What did the court say?
The Delhi High Court proposed shifting Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital, noting that medical experts were unanimous that he needed constant hospital monitoring, while also considering the concerns expressed by him in a letter about his stay in the government hospital.
A division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tejas Karia made the remarks while hearing an appeal filed by Wangchuk’s wife, Dr Geetanjali Angmo, challenging the single judge’s refusal to allow him to be transferred to a private hospital of his choice. After interacting with doctors at AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital and the team treating Wangchuk and examining the medical records placed before it, the bench said there was a consensus among medical experts that he should remain under constant medical observation. (ANI)
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