Sonam Wangchuk, on hunger strike for 20 days, taken to Safdarjung Hospital by cops

The activist had been on a hunger strike at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar since June 28. The Delhi Police said the action was taken in accordance with the orders of the Delhi High Court and expert medical advice concerning the 59-year-old's deteriorating health condition.

In Short

• Delhi Police says action in accordance with High Court's orders
• It also cites medical advice regarding Wangchuk's deteriorating health
• Slight commotion took place while removing him from protest site

Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar since June 28, was removed from the protest site and taken to the hospital by the Delhi Police on Saturday.

He was taken to the government-run Safdarjung Hospital, where he was admitted to the emergency ward, according to sources cited by news agency ANI. "He is conscious, and his vitals are stable," they said.

In a tweet, the police said the action was taken in accordance with orders from the Delhi High Court and expert medical advice concerning the 59-year-old's deteriorating health.

"As per orders of Hon’ble High Court and on expert medical advise due to the deteriorating health condition of Sh. Sonam Wangchuk, he has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care. While complying with the orders of Hon’ble High Court the protestors tried to create obstruction, in which slight commotion ensued, however police took maximum restrain and undertook the exercise safely," Delhi Police said in its statement.

The police also appealed to the protesters to end their agitation, saying they should peacefully vacate the protest site at the earliest. Videos from the scene showed police personnel using white sheets to obstruct the view as they brought Wangchuk down from the stage.

DELHI HIGH COURT'S DIRECTIONS

Wanghchuk's removal from Jantar Mantar came two days after the Centre told the High Court that it would provide any required medical intervention to him on the basis of advice of doctors monitoring his health. The submission was made as the court heard a plea seeking urgent medical care for the Ladakhi activist amid growing concerns over his health.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia had directed the government to ensure daily clinical monitoring of Wangchuk's health and take necessary steps whenever required, observing that the "life of any citizen is precious."

"We would like this person to be regularly medically checked by government doctors and, depending on the report of the doctors, if any medication is required, please intervene. Every life is precious," the Bench had orally observed.

Saturday would have been the 21st day of Wangchuk's hunger strike, which he had begun while demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET examination irregularities.

Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP's) chief spokesperson, Saurav Das, posted on X a purported video that captured the chaos when cops, some in uniform and others in plain clothes, made their way to the stage at the protest site to take Wangchuk to the hospital.

(Video courtesy: @SauravDassss/X)

Sharing the footage, he wrote, "Delhi Police has picked up Sonam Wangchuk forcefully!" The hunger strike was part of the CJP's broader agitation at Jantar Mantar to demand Pradhan's resignation and a judicial probe into alleged examination scams and wider reforms in the examination system.

POLICE INTERVENTION DAY AHEAD OF CJP MARCH

Wangchuk was removed by the police from the protest site a day ahead of the CJP's planned march to Parliament. He had urged citizens to join him in the march in large numbers.

The appeal had come amid growing calls from several imminent personalities to end what he had vowed to be an "indefinite" fast. By Thursday, July 16, which was the 19th day of his hunger strike,

Wangchuk had lost more than 9 kg of his body weight, according to Dr Satish Lamba, a senior general physician who had been monitoring his health. Later, on Friday, Wangchuk himself claimed he had lost nearly 20 per cent of his body mass since starting the fast.

- Ends
(With inputs from agencies)