Sonam Wangchuk hunger strike : Delhi HC seeks Centre’s response on PIL for urgent medical intervention

Activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk has been on the intermittent hunger strike for 17 days and has received notices of the Delhi High Court to get urgent medical attention from the Centre and the Delhi government on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed against the Delhi government.

The PIL filed by activist and lawyer Rakesh Kumar Saini asks the authorities to immediately bring Wangchuk to a hospital for necessary medical care. It also looks for any directions regarding a liquid diet for force-feeding him, if the need be, stating that his fast might prove life threatening.

In fact, the petitioner claims that Wangchuk’s health has deteriorated to a great extent during the fast, the petitioner said. It says he may die days later if prompt medical attention is not given and such a situation is “a great shame for the country and the world.

Wangchuk, who inspired the character of Phunsukh Wangdu in the film 3 Idiots, began his hunger strike on June 28 at Jantar Mantar as part of a protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The protest wants the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan owing to the alleged NEET-UG paper leak scam.

According to health updates provided by Wangchuk’s supporters, around 8.5 kg of his weight has gone down since the protest started and his blood pressure has lowered to 109/70. A host of opposition leaders and academics have been joining him on the fast, as well as several members of the film world.

It further states that the government has ignored Sonam Wangchuk’s condition which has been worsening, and that he is being treated unfairly. The Delhi High Court has asked the Centre and the Delhi government for their response and demands will be heard on Thursday.