Sonam Wangchuk shifted to hospital after 21-day hunger strike

Activist Sonam Wangchuk released a video alleging obstruction at Safdarjung Hospital. He was transferred to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram after court intervention. Hospital authorities stated the video was recorded before receiving the court's written order. Wangchuk ended his hunger strike after receiving government assurances on his demands. His protest focused on examination reforms and protecting peaceful demonstrators.

Sonam Wangchuk, who was on a hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar supporting the CJP, was whisked away by the police on July 18.

Climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike entered its 26th day on Thursday, with Medanta Hospital in Gurugram saying his condition remained stable and unchanged.In a medical bulletin issued on Thursday, the hospital said Wangchuk continues to be under the care of a multidisciplinary team of doctors and remains alert, with all vital parameters within acceptable limits.Click here for CJP Jantar Mantar Protest LIVE updates "Mr Sonam Wangchuk is being treated by a multidisciplinary team of doctors at Medanta Hospital, Gurugram. His condition remains unchanged and he continues to be stable and alert, with vital signs within accepted parameters. All treatment being administered to him is in accordance with his informed consent," the hospital said in its statement.Mr Sonum Wangchuk is being treated by a multidisciplinary team of doctors at Medanta Hospital, Gurugram. His condition remains unchanged and he continues to be stable and alert, with vital signs within accepted parameters. All treatment being administered to him is in accordance… pic.twitter.com/AZ753hcqEx— ANI (@ANI) July 23, 2026 Wangchuk has been on an indefinite fast since June 28 in support of students protesting against alleged irregularities in competitive examinations. His hunger strike has become one of the focal points of the ongoing agitation, drawing support from students and civil society groups across the country.The activist was admitted to Medanta Hospital after his health deteriorated during the prolonged fast. Since then, the hospital has been issuing regular medical bulletins on his condition.Delhi Police Debunks NSA Claim Amid CJP Protest, Calls Viral Posts MisleadingWhile his health remains under close observation, Wangchuk has continued his fast, reiterating that his protest will continue until the concerns raised by students are adequately addressed.The Centre has repeatedly appealed to protesting groups to engage in dialogue, while demonstrations over the examination paper leak issue continue in several parts of the country. Meanwhile, Wangchuk's health continues to be closely monitored as his hunger strike enters its fourth week.

Opposition MPs were stopped from meeting activist Sonam Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital. They carried a letter from 55 lawmakers urging him to end his hunger strike. Police denied the MPs access, citing medical protocols for the activist. Wangchuk's wife expressed concern over the heavy police presence and conditions. He stated he would break his fast after MPs' request and government assurance.

Union ministers made a notable visit to activist Sonam Wangchuk, currently hospitalized at Medanta in Gurugram. This follows the Delhi High Court's ruling, which facilitated his urgent transfer from Safdarjung Hospital after his wife's appeal contested a previous decision. As Wangchuk enters the 24th day of his hunger strike, protests continue to erupt at Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET paper leak.

The Delhi High Court has allowed Gitanjali Angmo to immediately shift her husband Sonam Wangchuk from government-run Safdarjung Hospital to the private Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. It allowed Angmo unfettered access to her husband at the hospital in accordance with medical protocol.   The court directed the private hospital’s director to form a team of doctors to constantly monitor Sonam Wangchuk’s medical condition and administer medication within accepted norms. The court said he shall abide by the medical advice.The decision by the bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyay and Justice Tejas Karia followed Angmo’s plea challenging Wangchuk’s continued admission at government-run Safdarjung Hospital. Speaking to the press, Angmo said Wangchuk’s hospitalisation “wasn't needed” and was like “detention”. She further announced Wangchuk’s decision to extend his fast in solidarity with the students who were beaten yesterday. Though the high court’s Tuesday decision relied on expert medical advice, it gained impetus after senior advocate Akhil Sibal, representing Angmo, drew the court’s attention to a letter handwritten by Wangchuk detailing his experience at Safdarjung Hospital.In his letter, Wangchuk complained about continuous police presence, his confinement in the hospital room, surveillance, how his visitors were subjected to a search and how his phone was “snatched away” from him. The doctors chambers in courtThe courtroom on Tuesday was akin to a doctor’s cabin with medical professionals taking turns to explain lab reports, what it meant in terms of Wangchuk’s health and their opinion on the future course of medical action. The court had on Monday sought updated lab reports to understand the climate activist’s medical condition on the 21st day of his fast.Doctors said the reports indicated normal weakness due to the stress of fasting but no intravenous intervention was required at this point. The doctors further expounded on what happens to a body that is denied sustenance and nutrition to explain the elevated levels of uric acid or the low haemoglobin and platelet levels. Dr Tandon from AIIMS said haemoglobin levels of a man from Ladakh are generally expected to be higher due to environmental factors. Doctors were unanimous in their opinion that Wangchuk would require constant medical monitoring, preferably in a hospital setting. A doctor said Wangchuk’s white blood cell (WBC) count was low, resulting in compromised immunity and making him more prone to infection. The doctor said physical interaction with Wangchuk should be limited and if one were to meet him in person, they should be in a clinical gown, cap and mask. State over everything elseEven as the Centre said it had no problems with Wangchuk’s shift to Medanta “a reputed hospital,” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on Monday essentially said state security would trump any fundamental rights. There is no right to bodily autonomy when the consequences of the deterioration of one’s health and loss of life has an impact on law and order, Mehta said on Wangchuk’s protest fast. “That is when the state steps in,” Mehta added to justify Delhi Police action taking Wangchuk away from the protest site.“When someone says I will commit suicide if demands are not met, then in such cases the right doesn’t fly. It then becomes the state’s duty to ensure that the health does deteriorate in such cases,” Mehta said. Police action has ‘chilling effect’Gitanjali Angmo had on Sunday filed an urgent plea challenging the Delhi Police action carting Wangchuk away from Jantar Mantar where he was on a protest fast in support of the CJP campaign.In her plea, Angmo said the manner in which Sonam Wangchuk was carried away by the Delhi Police in front of a crowd in Jantar Mantar was “aimed at thwarting his right to protest”. The plea suggested that the police action was evidently meant to send a “chilling effect within the entire community of supporters” who have been at the protest site for more than a month. The July 16 order characterised this act as “not being arbitrary”. The plea said that taking an individual away from his site of his choosing without his consent or any sign of deteriorating health in this case is one of the “most arbitrary” actions a State can take. This arbitrariness is compounded by the fact that he is not allowed to move out of a government-chosen place despite the next of kin as well as the individual asserting their constitutional rights, the petition read, adding that there was not an iota of evidence to show that Wangchuk was “not capable of giving his consent”.Small teams can do great things. All it takes is a subscription. Subscribe now and power Newslaundry’s work.  ‘With Wangchuk gone, cops thought hope would die’: The weekend that changed the CJP protest