Indian activist moved to hospital after 20-day hunger strike over exam system
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly moved to a hospital by Delhi police after a 20-day hunger strike protesting India's examination system.
- Wangchuk, 59, has been fasting since June 28, demanding the resignation of the Education Minister over alleged irregularities in medical entrance exams.
- A court had ordered doctors to monitor his health, and police stated they acted on medical advice due to his deteriorating condition, leading to a minor commotion with protesters.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly transferred to a hospital by Delhi police on Saturday due to health concerns, following a 20-day hunger strike against India's examination system. Wangchuk, 59, began his fast on June 28, calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. His protest centers on alleged irregularities in medical entrance examinations.
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.
Wangchuk has been staging his protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, where hundreds of students have joined him in recent weeks. The satirical online movement, Cockroach Janta Party, has also organized supporting protests. The activist's deteriorating health prompted a New Delhi court to order government doctors to monitor him daily.
A deputy commissioner of Delhi police stated that Wangchuk was shifted to the hospital for essential medical care, acting on court orders and expert medical advice. The statement noted that protesters attempted to obstruct the transfer, resulting in a "slight commotion." Police urged remaining protesters at Jantar Mantar to vacate the site peacefully.
While complying with the orders ... the protesters tried to create obstruction, in which slight commotion ensued.
Earlier, the Delhi High Court had emphasized the preciousness of any citizen's life, issuing an order on Thursday for any necessary medical intervention to save Wangchuk. The court acted after a petition warned that the activist might not survive if he continued his fast. Wangchuk, an engineer known for his Himalayan water conservation projects, had remarked hours before his transfer that "Smaller movements have brought down many governments in India... and here it is about education."
We request the protestors at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest.
The protest gained momentum following the cancellation of a major medical entrance exam due to a paper leak, which caused widespread outrage. A separate marking issue in high school tests also fueled youth discontent. Several opposition party members have publicly supported Wangchuk and the student activists.
The life of any citizen is precious.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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