Wangchuk To Continue Hunger Strike Until Parliament Responds To Students’ Demands, Says Wife

New Delhi , 21 July : Climate activist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk will continue his hunger strike until Parliament takes cognisance of the Delhi Police action against protesters during the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march, his wife Gitanjali J. Angmo said on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters after the Delhi High Court allowed Wangchuk to be shifted from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital, Angmo said Wangchuk had decided to extend his 24-day hunger strike in solidarity with students who were allegedly subjected to lathi-charge and tear gas during Monday’s protest.

Angmo said the students had shown peaceful resilience and that Wangchuk would continue his fast until Parliament acknowledged their demands and they were heard.

Responding to allegations that some protesters attacked police personnel, she recounted her own experience during the protest, saying she was inside a truck when police attempted to take activist Abhijit away.

She claimed those around her formed a human chain to protect her and said anyone in such a situation would have tried to defend themselves.

Raises Concerns Over Hospitalisation

Angmo also alleged that Members of Parliament who had come to Safdarjung Hospital were not permitted to meet Wangchuk.

She said the doctors treating him had informed the Delhi High Court that it was unusual for a patient’s own doctors to be denied access at a government hospital, which was one of the reasons for seeking his transfer.

Thanking the Delhi High Court for allowing the transfer, she said every democratic citizen in India has the right to choose their doctor, hospital and treatment.

She further alleged that Wangchuk had been brought to Safdarjung Hospital by police personnel in civil clothes rather than medical staff and claimed his admission to the ICU was intended to restrict his communication with the outside world.

According to Angmo, Wangchuk remains stable, with minor changes in his vital parameters being natural after nearly 25 days of fasting.