Wangchuk reached hospital after 21 days of fast, refused treatment; Security increased in Delhi before CJP’s Parliament march – 10 updates

Improvement in education system, NEET paper leak Social activist Sonam Wangchuk was fasting unto death at Jantar Mantar in Delhi for the last 21 days, demanding a fair investigation and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. His health started deteriorating due to continuous fasting. Following the instructions of the Delhi High Court, the police took him to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday morning, where doctors examined him medically.

According to the hospital report, Wangchuk is suffering from problems like dehydration, potassium deficiency (hypokalemia) and increased ketone levels due to prolonged fasting. Doctors advised immediate treatment and IV fluids, but Wangchuk and his family have refused to take medicine and drip for the time being. After this whole incident the movement has become more intense. Many political parties and social organizations have also reacted.

Sonam Wangchuk and Jantar Mantar Protest: Top-10 Updates

1. Wangchuk was taken to the hospital on the 21st day: On Saturday morning, Delhi Police took Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital. Police say that this action was taken in view of the High Court’s order and his deteriorating health.
2. Doctors said- dehydration and potassium deficiency: Medical examination confirmed lack of water in the body, potassium level falling to 2.8-2.9 and urine ketones increasing. Doctors said it was the effect of long fasting.
3. Refused treatment: According to the hospital administration, Wangchuk refused to take IV fluids, oral rehydration and medicines. The family has also not yet given consent for the medical procedure.
4. Wife raised questions on medical report: Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo Claimed that there is doubt on the hospital report. They say that they are not being allowed to get tested in other labs and complete transparency is not being maintained. Angmo alleged that Wangchuk was brought from Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital without informing him. Till a day ago, the doctors had declared all the health indicators to be normal, but now suddenly the potassium level is said to have fallen and the medical report is also not being shown. If Wangchuk is unable to attend the Parliament march, she will lead the march in her place and the movement will continue as per the schedule.
5. AIIMS experts also involved in monitoring: An independent expert from AIIMS also examined Wangchuk. Experts have stated the need for immediate electrolyte and fluid therapy so that no serious complications occur.
6. Abhijeet Deepke starts new hunger strike: After Wangchuk was taken to the hospital, CJP founder Abhijit Deepke started a fast. He said that the agitation will continue till Wangchuk returns.
7. Controversy increased due to ink throwing incident: During the fast at Jantar Mantar, a woman threw ink on Abhijeet Deepke. Later, the woman took responsibility for this on social media and also explained the reason for her protest.
8. Security tightened before Parliament march: In view of CJP’s proposed Parliament march on July 20, Delhi Police has increased security in New Delhi area. Barricading, vehicle checking and additional police forces have been deployed.
9. Opposition and many celebrities came in support: Many leaders and personalities, including Rahul Gandhi, Uddhav Thackeray, Arvind Kejriwal, Sanjay Singh, Anna Hazare and Olympian Manu Bhaker, gave statements in support of Wangchuk and appealed for talks with the government.
10. The historical context of the movement is also discussed: In 1982 and 1984, Wangchuk’s father Sonam Wangyal also sat on hunger strike demanding Ladakh. At that time, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had negotiated and ended his fast.

Questions raised on the attitude of the hospital administration

Dr. Nitin Dighe, a member of the team of doctors monitoring Sonam Wangchuk’s health at Jantar Mantar, has raised questions on the attitude of the hospital administration. He said that the medical team was not informed about Sonam Wangchuk being taken to the hospital. For the last 20 days, his team was continuously examining Wangchuk’s health, but due to a Home Ministry official present in the hospital, no doctor was allowed to meet him.

Dr. Dighe said that Wangchuk’s wife informed him that his potassium level was reported to be low in the hospital. However, in the test done by his team at around 3 pm on Friday afternoon, the potassium level was completely normal. He said that even the medical report of the hospital has not been shown to him.

Dighe further said that the doctors of the hospital have prescribed potassium medicine, with which he has reached the hospital. According to him, this medicine could have been given at Jantar Mantar itself and there was no need for hospitalization. He claimed that Sonam Wangchuk’s general health condition is fine and he is confident that she herself will join the Parliament march on foot the day after tomorrow.