Hours before Delhi Police transferred activist Sonam Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital after his health deteriorated during his indefinite hunger strike, he released an emotional video message in which he declared: “Yes, I am still alive,” and spoke about the toll the protest had taken on his body.
The video was recorded around midnight on July 18, the 20th day of his fast. Addressing his supporters, Wangchuk said he had already lost nearly a fifth of his body weight due to the long fast.
“Yes, I’m still alive. About 20 percent of my body is gone. After the fat, the muscles are gone. Then the organs will go. And finally the brain. This stage has not yet come.”
Read also: CJP’s Abhijit Debaki announces indefinite hunger strike after Wangchuk is hospitalized
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Despite his deteriorating health condition, Wangchuk said he remained mentally alert and defended the purpose of his induction.
Responding to those wondering whether his protest would make any difference, he drew a comparison with the political impact of rising onion prices in India. “Governments have fallen because of onions. We are talking about the lives of children.”
Referring to previous governments that faced public anger over rising onion prices, Wangchuk said that if such an issue could influence policy, a movement that focuses on students’ lives and the state of education deserves greater public attention.
He claimed that more than 20 children had died by suicide this year, and urged people to join the proposed Parliament march on July 20.
“Walk with me to Parliament on July 20. You are the source of our strength. Otherwise, who am I? I am a lonely and hungry person.”
Also read: JNU’s Neha Bora continues hunger strike after Wangchuk’s departure, alleging police repression
She was taken to hospital
In the early hours of Saturday, Delhi Police shifted Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital, citing expert medical advice and directions from the Delhi High Court after his condition deteriorated on the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike.
Following the move, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijit Debke claimed he was beaten and arrested during what he described as a “crackdown on protesters”.
But Delhi Police said Wangchuk was only transferred to ensure basic medical care and appealed to protesters to vacate the protest site peacefully.
Meanwhile, Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, said no medical treatment should be given to him without her consent and that of the doctors treating him.
The hospitalization intensified interest in Wangchuk’s protest, with his supporters widely sharing his midnight video message ahead of a proposed parliamentary rally on July 20.
(With inputs from agencies)
