‘India’s 2nd freedom movement’ : Here’s what Sonam Wangchuk said in his handwritten note from the hospital

Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Sunday shared a handwritten note from Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital, where he remains admitted after being removed from the Jantar Mantar during his indefinite hunger strike. In his note, the climate activist, who has continued his hunger strike despite being hospitalised, urged supporters to make Monday’s march to Parliament a big success as the Monsoon Session begins on Monday.

However, Wangchuk has described his stay at the government-run hospital as illegal detention. In his handwritten note, he also described the ongoing agitation as India’s 2nd freedom movement. He said the movement seeks freedom from injustice (like paper leaks) and freedom from fear (my illegal detention).

“March to the Parliament. Please make it a big success,” Wangchuk wrote, signing the note: “Sent through Gitanjali from my illegal detention at Safdarjung.”

With Wangchuk remaining hospitalised after more than three weeks of hunger strike, his wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, has vowed to lead the march to Parliament on his behalf. She has also moved the Delhi High Court seeking permission to shift Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital to a private hospital, alleging a lack of transparency regarding his treatment.

Wangchuk joined the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) agitation against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on June 28 over the alleged NEET paper leak. He subsequently began an indefinite hunger strike to highlight issues concerning students and educational reforms.

On July 18, the 21st day of his fast, Delhi Police shifted him from Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital, citing concerns over his deteriorating health and acting following directions from the Delhi High Court.