The Delhi High Court (HC) on Thursday issued instructions to the Union Government to take every necessary step to safeguard the life of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has entered the 19th day of his indefinite hunger strike, after joining forces with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in their protest demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The court’s directives came during the hearing of an urgent plea concerning Wangchuk’s deteriorating health, where it emphasised that preserving human life must remain the government’s top priority.
Delhi HC
The bench observed, “Whatever medical intervention is needed to save Sonam Wangchuk’s life should be done.” It further noted that the ‘life of any citizen is precious’ and that authorities must make every possible effort to shield it.
Petition warns of Wangchuk’s critical health
The petition regarding Wangchuk’s hunger strike was filed on Wednesday, which claimed that the 59-year-old activist’s condition had turned critical and warned he might not survive the next 48 hours if his fast continued uninterrupted.
As per the plea, Wangchuk has already lost 8.5 kilograms since beginning the fast. It also alleged that the government had been showing inadequate concern towards his health and urged immediate medical intervention.
The petitioner contended that the most appropriate course of action would be to admit Wangchuk to a government hospital and administer essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals through a liquid diet to ensure his survival.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk
While recognising that peaceful protest is a fundamental domestic right, the plea mentioned that any loss of life under such circumstances would bring immense shame to both the nation and the international community.
Court seeks monitoring on daily basis
During the proceedings, the HC questioned that Union government over the absence of consistent medical supervision by government doctors.
Appearing on behalf of the government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the HC that Wangchuk was undergoing medical examinations on a daily basis. He, however, acknowledged that the attending doctors were not always from government institutions and that private practitioners had also been conducting health assessments.
The court then directed that Wangchuk should receive regular medical examinations from government doctors and that authorities must promptly intervene if any medication or treatment becomes the need of the hour.
Wangchuk refuses to end hunger strike without response from Govt
Notably, hours before the court’s order, Wangchuk released an emotional video message in which he said his health was stable despite the prolonged fast, although he admitted experiencing increasing physical weakness.
Despite repeated appeals from senior political leaders urging him to end the protest, Wangchuk maintained that doing so without any response from the government would send the wrong message. Instead, he pleaded with the supporters to participate in thick numbers at the CJP’s planned demonstration at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on July 20. He said the movement would pick up pace if citizens, particularly school and college students, joined the campaign and helped place the issue before Members of Parliament (MPs).