Sonam Wangchuk reached hospital after 20 days fast, removed from Jantar Mantar by Delhi Police

Knews Desk- Social activist and education reform supporter Sonam Wangchuk, who was on a fast unto death at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for the last 20 days, was taken to the hospital by Delhi Police on Saturday morning amid tight security. The police took him to Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital. Wangchuk was on hunger strike since June 28 and this action was taken in view of his deteriorating health. Sonam Wangchuk was supporting the movement of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). The protest has been going on at Jantar Mantar since June 20, demanding alleged irregularities in the NEET exam, reform in the exam system, judicial inquiry into alleged exam scams and resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Wangchuk joined this movement on June 28 and started an indefinite hunger strike.

Delhi Police issued a statement saying that as per the instructions of the Delhi High Court and the advice of medical experts, in view of the continuously deteriorating health condition of Sonam Wangchuk, she was taken to the hospital for necessary treatment. According to the police, during the action, some protesters tried to create obstruction, which created an atmosphere of chaos for some time. However, the police exercised restraint and completed the entire process peacefully. An appeal was also made to the protesters present at Jantar Mantar to vacate the protest site peacefully. On the other hand, CJP leaders have raised questions on the police action. Party leader Abhijit Dipke alleged that Delhi Police assaulted him and detained him. He claimed that the police was being harsh on the protesters and Sonam Wangchuk was taken to the hospital against her will.

A day before she was taken to the hospital, i.e. on Friday, Sonam Wangchuk had released a video message on the 20th day of her fast. He had appealed to people across the country to participate in large numbers in the proposed Parliament march on July 20. He had said that the biggest strength of any mass movement is the participation of the general public. In his video message, Wangchuk had said that he is still alive, but about 20 percent of his body is emaciated. He told that due to not getting food for a long time, first the body fat gets lost, then the muscles and then the body parts start getting affected. He said that he has not yet reached the final stage, but his health is continuously weakening.

Wangchuk also said that people often underestimate the power of mass movements. He raised the question whether the people of the country are as serious about the education and future of their children as they were about the rising prices of onion. He said that history is witness to the fact that governments have had to change decisions under the pressure of public sentiments. Reiterating his appeal to the people to join the Parliament march on July 20, he said, “You are our strength. I am the only hungry person, but the number of people is the real strength of this movement. We are only demanding accountability.”