Sonam Wangchuk health update: Safdarjung Hospital says activist 'stable but requires continuous monitoring'

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk is stable but remains weak due to prolonged fasting and dehydration after being shifted to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital on the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike, the hospital said on Saturday. Doctors said he requires continuous observation, monitoring and treatment to restore his body parameters.

Wangchuk was admitted to the government hospital at 7:40 am after Delhi Police removed him from the Jantar Mantar protest site, citing medical advice and directions of the Delhi High Court. The hospital said he had been admitted for the necessary medical care following a deterioration in his health.

On Thursday, the Delhi High Court directed authorities to monitor Wangchuk's health on a daily basis during his hunger strike, observing that every citizen's life is precious and must be protected. The court also directed that any medical intervention deemed necessary by government doctors should be provided.


Also read: CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke begins indefinite hunger strike after Wangchuk taken to hospital

Speaking to ANI, Dr Charu Bamba, Medical Superintendent at Safdarjung Hospital said that Wangchuk is weak due to prolonged fasting and is experiencing mild dehydration; otherwise, all his vital parameters are stable.

"He is being continuously examined and monitored, and his treatment is underway. He is fully alert and stable," she said, adding that the Emergency Medicine Department attended to him upon his arrival initially, and he has now been admitted under the Department of Medicine.

"He is fully conscious, and all parameters are stable. We will keep him for a while because there are signs of dehydration affecting his electrolyte levels. We will correct these and then review his condition again," she added.

Shifted following High Court directions

Delhi Police said Wangchuk was moved to the hospital in compliance with the High Court's orders and on the recommendation of medical experts. According to the police, protesters attempted to obstruct the exercise, leading to a brief commotion, but officers completed the transfer with restraint.

New Delhi DCP Sachin Sharma later said Wangchuk had been taken to an appropriate government hospital for essential medical intervention and was under medical supervision.

Family objects to treatment without consent

Following his admission, Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, urged doctors not to administer any oral or intravenous treatment without the consent of his family and the medical team that had been overseeing his health during the hunger strike.

In a post on X, she said no medical intervention should be carried out without prior approval from the family and his treating doctors.

Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged nationwide examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak controversy.

His health had steadily worsened over the past three weeks. Doctors monitoring him said he had lost nearly 9.5 kg during the fast, while his blood pressure and blood sugar levels were being closely tracked. On Friday, Wangchuk had said he intended to continue the fast despite his deteriorating condition, claiming he had "lost 20 per cent of my body" during the protest.

Also read: Left-wing student organizations join Jantar Mantar protest as CJP activist begins hunger strike after Sonam Wangchuk's hospitalisation

Protest site cleared, Opposition criticises police action

After Wangchuk's hospitalisation, Delhi Police cleared protesters from Jantar Mantar amid heavy deployment in the area. The action drew criticism from several Opposition leaders, including AAP's Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and Saurabh Bharadwaj, Trinamool Congress leader Sagarika Ghose, and Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav, who alleged that the government was suppressing peaceful protests.

Meanwhile, Abhijeet Dipke, founding president of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), alleged that Wangchuk was forcibly taken away and claimed he was assaulted while attempting to reach the protest site. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das also alleged that police stopped Dipke and used force against students at the protest venue. There was no immediate official response to these allegations.