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🇧🇩 Bangladesh /Health & Science

Activist moved to hospital after 20-day hunger strike over India's exam system

From Daily Star · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Activist Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly moved to a hospital by Delhi police after 20 days of a hunger strike.
  • Wangchuk was protesting alleged irregularities in India's medical examination system, demanding the Education Minister's resignation.
  • A court had ordered medical monitoring due to his deteriorating health, with police stating they complied with court orders.

Delhi police forcibly transferred activist Sonam Wangchuk to a hospital on Saturday, ending his 20-day hunger strike over concerns about his deteriorating health. Wangchuk, 59, had been fasting since June 28, protesting alleged irregularities in the medical examination system and demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

As per the orders of... high court and on expert medical advice due to deteriorating health condition of Sonam Wangchuk, he has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care.

— Deputy commissioner of Delhi policeExplaining the police action to move the activist to a hospital.

Hundreds of students had joined Wangchuk's protest at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar. A deputy commissioner of Delhi police stated that Wangchuk was moved "as per the orders of... high court and on expert medical advice due to deteriorating health condition." The statement noted that protestors attempted to obstruct the process, leading to a "slight commotion."

While complying with the orders... the protestors tried to create obstruction, in which slight commotion ensued.

— Deputy commissioner of Delhi policeDescribing the interaction between police and protestors during the transfer.

A New Delhi court had previously ordered government doctors to monitor Wangchuk's health daily, emphasizing that "the life of any citizen is precious." The court directed that "whatever medical intervention is needed to save Sonam Wangchuk's life should be done." Police requested protestors to vacate the site peacefully.

We request the protestors at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest.

— Deputy commissioner of Delhi policeIssuing a request to the remaining protestors.

Wangchuk, an engineer known for his work in Himalayan water conservation, had spoken out hours before his transfer, linking smaller movements to government change in India and framing his protest around education. The protests gained momentum after a recent re-examination for medical students was scrapped due to a paper leak, sparking widespread outrage and fueling youth demonstrations over the competitive exam system and high school marking issues. Opposition parties have voiced support for Wangchuk and the student activists.

The life of any citizen is precious.

— New Delhi courtStating the court's reasoning for ordering medical monitoring.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Star in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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