The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the Center to ensure activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health is medically examined daily by government doctors and provide necessary medical intervention if his condition deteriorates.
Wangchuk, 59, has been on a hunger strike since June 28 as part of a protest organized by the Kokruche Janata Party (CJP), which is demanding the resignation of Federal Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations.
A bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia observed that the life of every citizen is precious and the authorities must make every possible medical effort to protect it.
Read also: ‘Force-feeding Sonam Wangchuk’: Petition in Delhi HC seeks liquid diet and hospitalizes climate activist on hunger strike
“While noting the assurances made by the Solicitor General, we note that the lives of citizens are precious and government authorities must make all medical attempts to appreciate them. We direct that Wangchuk’s medical condition be monitored regularly daily and depending on the opinion of doctors, whatever medical intervention is required, taking into account his deteriorating condition. The petition is disposed of,” the court said in its order.
These directions came in a petition filed by advocate Rakesh Kumar Saini seeking directions to the Center and the Delhi government to shift Wangchuk to hospital and provide him medical treatment, including force-feeding if necessary.
Saini confirmed in his petition that Wangchuk’s health deteriorated significantly during the hunger strike, as the activist lost 8.5 kg of weight. She said that if he continued to fast, his life could be in danger during the next two days.
“If he dies, it will be a great shame for the country and the world,” the appeal said. This came after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the Centre, assured the court that Wangchuk’s health would be monitored daily by government doctors and medical experts.
He also stressed that any medical intervention deemed necessary, based on the assessment of his deteriorating condition, would be carried out immediately.
Opposition leaders and more than 1,800 civil society members, including academics, artists and activists such as Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Arundhati Roy, Nivedita Menon, Jean Drez, Lalita Ramdas and Kavita Srivastava, wrote a letter on Tuesday, urging Wangchuk to end his hunger strike.
“His life is invaluable to the entire world as it embodies a commitment to humanity and the environment that is as profound as his commitment to democracy,” Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said in a post on X.
The CJP has been protesting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi since June 20.
Besides Pradhan’s resignation, the CJP demands a fully transparent national examination system, strict accountability for repeated leakage of competitive examination papers, and compensation to the families of students who died by suicide due to paper leakage.
