Sonam Wangchuk's weak, needs constant monitoring: Hospital on activist's health
Following the climate activist's removal from the Jantar Mantar protest site, Safdarjung Hospital said that he is weak due to fasting and dehydration but was stable as his health was under continuous watch.
by Vivek Kumar · India TodayIn Short
- Delhi Police shifts activist citing High Court directions, medical advice received
- Sonam Wangchuk's wife objects to treatment without family, doctors' prior consent
- Abhijit Dipke continues hunger strike after Wangchuk's removal from protest
Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday confirmed that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was admitted for medical care after being brought from Delhi's Jantar Mantar, where he had been on an indefinite hunger strike, and is currently stable but requires continuous monitoring following prolonged fasting. Wangchuk had been on a hunger strike for 20 days before he was removed from the site by Delhi Police on Saturday morning.
In a statement, the hospital said, "Sonam Wangchuck was received and admitted at Safdarjung Hospital for required health care at 7.40 am today. He is weak due to prolonged fasting and dehydration".
“Although he is currently stable, he requires continuous observation, monitoring and treatment to restore his body parameters," the statement added.
WANGCHUK REMOVED FROM JANTAR-MANTAR
The hospital's update came hours after Delhi Police removed Wangchuk from the protest site, saying the action was taken on expert medical advice and in compliance with directions issued by the Delhi High Court.
The court had earlier directed authorities to regularly assess Wangchuk's health and ensure medical intervention whenever required.
Police shifted the activist from Jantar Mantar early on Saturday after his condition reportedly deteriorated following nearly three weeks of fasting.
FORCIBLE REMOVAL ALLEGATIONS
The operation triggered brief commotion at the site, with protesters alleging that Wangchuk was forcibly removed while police maintained that the exercise was carried out with restraint despite attempts to obstruct it.
Visuals from the protest showed police personnel surrounding Wangchuk with white sheets before carrying him to an ambulance waiting outside the venue.
Security was later strengthened around Safdarjung Hospital and the protest site to prevent any law and order issues.
WHAT WANGCHUK’S WIFE SAID
Following Wangchuk's hospitalisation, his wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, urged the hospital not to administer anything orally or intravenously without the consent of the family and the doctors who had been monitoring his health during the fast.
She questioned the need for the hospitalisation, claiming he had appeared stable a day earlier.
Meanwhile, Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijit Dipke announced that he would continue the indefinite hunger strike after Wangchuk's removal. Dipke also alleged that he was assaulted and briefly detained by police during the operation, allegations denied by the Delhi Police.
PROTEST AGAINST NEET PAPER LEAK
Wangchuk had been fasting since June 28 in support of a protest demanding accountability over the alleged NEET-UG examination paper leak, a judicial probe into examination-related irregularities and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
AISA members Neha, Aameen and Manish associated with the protest also continued their hunger strike at Jantar Mantar despite the police action.
With Wangchuk now under medical supervision, attention is likely to remain on his recovery as well as the future course of the agitation, which organisers have indicated will continue despite his removal from the protest site.
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