New Delhi: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted by Delhi Police from the protest site at Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday, the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike. His wife, Geetanjali J. Angmo, said no medical treatment should be administered without her consent.
Confirming his hospitalisation, Angmo said Wangchuk had been taken to Safdarjung Hospital and insisted that doctors should not begin any treatment without consulting the family.
“He is at Safdarjung Hospital. I do not consent to him being given anything without my approval. No treatment should begin without my consent. If anything happens, I will hold everyone accountable,” she said.
Questioning the decision to shift him to hospital, Angmo claimed Wangchuk’s condition had appeared stable a day earlier.
“He was fine yesterday. There was no need to bring him to the hospital. Without my consent and the consent of my doctor, no treatment should be administered,” she said.
Delhi Police, however, maintained that Wangchuk was shifted to hospital on the advice of medical experts and in compliance with directions issued by the Delhi High Court. Police said he was admitted to receive necessary medical care after his health deteriorated.
The police also appealed to protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar to end their demonstration peacefully and vacate the protest site.
On Friday night, Wangchuk had said he remained determined to continue his hunger strike despite his worsening health, claiming he had lost nearly 20 per cent of his body weight during the fast.
“I have lost 20 per cent of my body. Governments have fallen over the price of onions. It is now time for this government to listen to the voice of young people,” he said in a video message.
Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 in support of a protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and the reported deaths of students linked to the controversy.
The Delhi High Court is monitoring Wangchuk’s medical condition and has directed authorities to conduct regular health assessments and provide appropriate medical treatment whenever necessary.
