The Delhi High Court has asked the government to protect the health of activist Sonam Wangchuk. He has entered the 19th day of his indefinite hunger strike ahead of joining the Cockroach Janta Party protest against Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
“Whatever medical intervention is needed to save Sonam Wangchuk’s life should be done,” the court ordered.
“We note that the life of any citizen is precious… and all efforts ought to be made by authorities to save the same,” the court said.
It comes ahead of the plea submitted to the High Court on Wednesday, which highlighted the 59-year-old Sonam Wanchuk’s life could be at risk or he might die in two days if his hunger strike is not stopped. The plea also accused the government of being “least concerned and insensitive” to his condition.
The plea alleged that the government had been insensitive to his deteriorating condition and requested the court to take action urgently. The plea further asked for directions for providing medical intervention, which includes force-feeding if required.
Sonam Wangchuk is on a hunger strike with the demand of the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan ahead of the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
During the hearing, the court asked the government, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, about the lack of proper checks on Wangchuk’s health. The government said doctors were examining him every day, but they were not always from government hospitals. “Sometimes they are private doctors,” Mehta said.
“We would like this person to receive regular and daily medical checks from government doctors… and intervention depending on those reports. And if any medication is required, please intervene. Every life is precious!” the court said.
Amidst this, Wangchuk took to social media and said, “It is not bad… So that is why I can walk for many days now. Yes, there is weakness… my muscles are getting tired… but my heart and core are still fine. So instead of just saying ‘break the fast,’ I would request you take a small step. Come in large numbers on July 20 (the day of the CJP protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar) … so a message goes to the government.”
“All of us together will hand over this issue to the MPs. I will then believe the matter has gone into the right hands,” Wangchuk said.
