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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Health & Science

Indian activist forcibly moved to hospital after 20-day hunger strike

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Authorities forcibly moved activist Sonam Wangchuk to a hospital after 20 days of his hunger strike protesting India's examination system.
  • Wangchuk, an engineer, demanded the education minister's resignation over alleged irregularities in medical entrance exams.
  • A court had ordered daily health monitoring for Wangchuk, who warned that smaller movements could topple governments.

Indian authorities forcibly transferred activist Sonam Wangchuk to a hospital on Saturday, citing health concerns after he completed 20 days of a hunger strike. Wangchuk, 59, began his fast on June 28 to protest alleged irregularities in the medical entrance examination system and demanded 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 authorities' decision to move the activist to a hospital.

Hundreds of students joined Wangchuk at his protest site in New Delhi, with online movements also supporting his cause. A deputy commissioner of Delhi police stated that Wangchuk was moved to the hospital "on expert medical advice due to deteriorating health condition." The police reported that protestors attempted to obstruct the transfer, 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 Wangchuk's 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."

The life of any citizen is precious.

— New Delhi courtStating the court's reasoning for ordering health monitoring of the activist.

Wangchuk, an engineer known for his work in Himalayan water conservation, had stated hours before his transfer that "smaller movements have brought down many governments in India." His protest gained momentum following widespread outrage over a leaked paper for a re-examination of medical aspirants and a separate marking error in high school tests, which affected millions of students.

Whatever medical intervention is needed to save Sonam Wangchuk’s life should be done.

— New Delhi High CourtIssuing an order for necessary medical care for the hunger-striking activist.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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