Police shift Sonam Wangchuk to hospital on 21st day of hunger strike

Police today (18 July) shifted Indian climate activist and education reformist Sonam Wangchuk to a government hospital after his health deteriorated on the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike in New Delhi.

Wangchuk, 59, has been on a hunger strike demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in solidarity with the Cockroach Janata Party's protest over the alleged question paper leak in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to undergraduate MBBS courses.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma told reporters that, "In accordance with the orders of the Delhi High Court and considering his health and medical condition, Sonam Wangchuk has been taken to an appropriate government hospital. He is currently under medical supervision."

In a separate statement, Delhi Police said, "As per orders of the Hon'ble High Court and on expert medical advice due to the deteriorating health condition of Sonam Wangchuk, he has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care."

The police said protesters at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi, where Wangchuk had been staging his hunger strike, tried to obstruct the move while officers were complying with the High Court's order.

It said a slight commotion followed, but police exercised maximum restraint and completed the exercise safely.

Security was stepped up in and around Jantar Mantar and across parts of the New Delhi district after Wangchuk was shifted to hospital.

Police said Delhi Police personnel and paramilitary forces had been deployed at Jantar Mantar and nearby areas to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident.

Barricades were also put up and security personnel stationed at key points to regulate the movement of protesters and visitors.