A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has reportedly been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking urgent medical intervention for climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in support of the Kokruch Janta Party (CJP) protest over alleged irregularities in NEET exams.
According to a LiveLaw report, lawyer Rakesh Kumar Saini has filed a petition, urging the Center and the Delhi government to immediately shift Wangchuk to a government hospital, provide medical treatment and, if necessary, force-feed him with liquid diet to protect his life.
On Wednesday, the GPC protest entered its 25th day, while the Wangchuk hunger strike entered its 18th day.
The organization also announced a ‘Chalo Sansad’ rally on July 20, the opening day of the monsoon session of Parliament, and urged supporters to register through a missed call campaign.
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A matter to be heard on Thursday
Although the petition was listed before a division bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia on Wednesday, HT has learned that the hearing has been postponed to Thursday in view of the lawyers’ abstention from work.
The petition specifically seeks directions to the authorities “…to transfer him to a government hospital and force-feed him the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals, via a liquid diet necessary for the survival of the human body,” while also ensuring that Wangchuk’s life and health are protected.
Read also | Kejriwal supports CJP’s protest, urges Wangchuk to end hunger strike
Hunger strike for the 18th day
The 59-year-old teacher and climate activist joined the AKP protest on June 28, and has been on an indefinite fast since then.
The CJP demands the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and $Rs 1 crore compensation to families of students who allegedly died by suicide after NEET paper leak in May.
The medical admission examination was re-conducted last month.
CJP founder Abhijit Debaki posts regular health updates on Wangchuk. In an update on Tuesday, he said the activist had lost more than 8.4 kg since beginning his fast, was losing muscle mass, and his blood pressure had dropped to 109/70.
Sharing Wangchuk’s condition on
He replied calmly: “Don’t ask me to end my fast. Ask the government why they don’t even engage in dialogue.”
Political leaders like Uddhav Thackeray, Akhilesh Yadav and Arvind Kejriwal have now come forward to support the party and Wangchuk’s cause.
