Hunger Strikers’ Health Worsens at Jantar Mantar, Court Refuses to Shift Sonam Wangchuk to Medanta

Sunil Negi, New Delhi

New Delhi: Student activists including Neha Bora, Amin and Manish, who are sitting on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, are in extremely poor health as their protest over the NEET paper leak enters another crucial day.

Neha Bora, who hails from Uttarakhand and is a student activist of the All India Students Association, has lost nearly 7 kgs and has become extremely weak. Dedicated to the cause and worried over the future of students across the country, she is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him responsible for the NEET paper leaks, for playing with the future of lakhs of aspirants, and for the suicides of 20 students. Fellow protesters and doctors at the site said she needs immediate medical attention and that her survival is at stake if the strike continues.

The protest gained national attention after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been fasting in solidarity with the students since June 28, was hospitalised by Delhi Police on the 21st day of his fast and shifted to the government-run Safdarjung Hospital after his vital parameters deteriorated.

On Sunday, Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali J Angmo moved the Delhi High Court seeking urgent permission to shift him from Safdarjung to a private hospital of the family’s choice. Representing her, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal told the court that the family wanted Wangchuk to be treated at Medanta Hospital. “Whatever is to be done will have to be done by a doctor of my choice. It is my body, and I decide where I go,” Sibal argued. He also submitted that Wangchuk had been admitted without his consent and that the family had already spoken to Medanta.

Angmo alleged she had lost faith in Safdarjung Hospital over lack of transparency. She claimed doctors told the family his potassium had dropped to 2.9, describing it as alarming and life-threatening, while the hospital’s public bulletin only mentioned “decreasing potassium levels.” An independent test later showed 3.5, which she said was within the normal range. She further alleged that nearly 30 police personnel were stationed on their floor and over 100 across the hospital, severely restricting the family’s movement, and called it “illegal detention” rather than medical care.

Appearing for the Centre, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma opposed the plea and said Wangchuk was shifted under compelling circumstances after his health worsened. Relying on medical records signed by the Head of the Department of Medicine, he informed the court that Wangchuk’s sugar and sodium levels were below normal and potassium was “dangerously low.” The government also argued that even the President avails treatment at government hospitals and questioned who would take responsibility if anything happened at a private facility.

The bench led by Justice Mini Pushkarna refused to grant interim relief and ruled that Wangchuk will continue receiving treatment at Safdarjung Hospital until the next hearing.

The court observed that the Centre’s decision was not arbitrary, as it was taken in view of his deteriorating condition and a prior Division Bench order directing regular medical monitoring. Justice Pushkarna noted that doctors were administering only oral medicine and supplements with Wangchuk’s consent, and that unlimited access had been given to Angmo and other family members. “It cannot be said that any force is being used or that his bodily autonomy is being violated in any manner whatsoever,” the court said.

The court issued notice to the Centre, Safdarjung Hospital and Delhi Police and directed a status report to be filed before the next hearing scheduled for Friday.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police has not granted permission to the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) to hold its proposed peaceful march to Parliament on 20th July.

According to CJP founder Abhijit Dipke, the party has received more than 1.50 lakh missed calls from students and youth who are thronging at Jantar Mantar to support the cause. All eyes are now on what unfolds tomorrow as the agitation continues.