Social activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday after his health deteriorated due to a prolonged fast, with doctors stating that he is currently stable but requires continuous medical observation and treatment.
In an official statement, Safdarjung Hospital said Wangchuk was admitted at 7:40 am for necessary medical care. Doctors noted that he had become physically weak because of extended fasting and dehydration.
"He is weak due to prolonged fasting and dehydration. Although he is currently stable, he requires continuous observation, monitoring and treatment to restore his body parameters," the hospital said.
To ensure round-the-clock care, the hospital has deployed two doctors and two paramedics for Wangchuk's treatment.
According to Delhi Police sources, a medical team from Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital examined Wangchuk at the Jantar Mantar protest site earlier in the morning. Following the examination, doctors advised immediate hospitalisation, citing concerns over his declining health.
However, Wangchuk reportedly refused to be admitted. With his condition continuing to worsen and based on the medical recommendation, Delhi Police shifted him to Safdarjung Hospital in an ambulance for treatment.
The development comes after Wangchuk had been on an extended hunger strike as part of his ongoing protest.
Following his admission, Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali J. Angmo issued a statement through a post on X, requesting that no medication or medical procedure be carried out without the family's approval.
"I am at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi where Sonam Wangchuk has been admitted. Nothing should be administered to him orally or intravenously without taking consent from me, his family and his doctors who have been monitoring his health for the past 20 days," she wrote.
Her statement highlighted the family's desire to remain closely involved in decisions regarding Wangchuk's medical care.
Wangchuk's hospitalisation did little to dampen the resolve of protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar.
Reacting to the development, Abhijeet Dipke, founding president of the Cockroach Janta Party, said shifting Wangchuk away from the protest venue would not bring the movement to an end.
"If they think that taking Sonam Sir away will end this movement, they are mistaken. We will remain here and march to Parliament on July 20," he said.
Dipke further escalated the group's political demands, stating that while protesters had earlier sought the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, they would now also demand the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The incident triggered sharp reactions from opposition leaders.
Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia accused the Centre of suppressing voices protesting against alleged paper leaks. In a statement, he alleged that instead of addressing the concerns being raised, the government was attempting to silence those leading the agitation.
Meanwhile, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) chief Sharad Pawar criticised the Centre's handling of Wangchuk's protest, calling it "irresponsible." Pawar claimed the government had acted only after the activist's health became critical and argued that the administration should have engaged with the genuine concerns of the protesting students much earlier.
He also asserted that Wangchuk's hospitalisation would not weaken the movement and that the protest would continue despite the action taken against the activist.
As doctors continue to monitor Wangchuk's condition, attention remains focused on both his recovery and the future course of the agitation, with protesters maintaining that their planned march to Parliament on July 20 will go ahead as scheduled.
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