New Delhi [India], July 19 – The wife of Indian social activist Sonam Wangchuk has moved to court seeking permission to transfer him from a government hospital to a private medical facility alleging he is being held in “illegal detention” as concerns grow over his prolonged hunger strike.
Gitanjali Angmo said on Sunday that authorities at New Delhi’s state run Safdarjung Hospital had refused repeated requests to discharge Wangchuk or allow his family to shift him to a hospital of their choice. Wangchuk, 59 was taken to the hospital by security personnel on Saturday despite his stated opposition to the transfer.
In a post on social media platform X, Angmo said police presence inside the hospital had severely restricted the family’s movement claiming around 30 police personnel were stationed on their floor and more than 100 were deployed across the hospital.
Safdarjung Hospital said Wangchuk’s vital signs remained stable although some blood parameters were “marginally altered” and that he required continuous medical care and round-the-clock monitoring. Hospital officials did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.
Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led political group demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over examination paper leaks in May that affected millions of students.
Last week, the Delhi High Court directed authorities to closely monitor Wangchuk’s health and intervene if necessary after receiving a petition seeking medical intervention as his condition deteriorated.
The CJP has announced plans to march to Parliament on Monday coinciding with the opening of the latest parliamentary session to press its demands and intensify pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
