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๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ India /Culture & Society

Sonam Wangchuk's final message hours before cops removed him from Jantar Mantar | Watch

From Hindustan Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Activist Sonam Wangchuk was moved to Safdarjung Hospital due to deteriorating health during his hunger strike.
  • Wangchuk released a video message hours before his transfer, stating he was still alive despite significant weight loss.
  • He urged supporters to join a Parliament march on July 20, emphasizing the importance of students' lives and education.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk was transferred to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi early Saturday morning after his health declined during an indefinite hunger strike. The move came on the 21st day of his fast, prompted by expert medical advice and court directives following a significant deterioration in his condition.

Yes, I am still alive. About 20 per cent of my body is gone. After fats, muscles are gone. After that, organs will go. Finally, brain. That stage has not come yet.

โ€” Sonam WangchukDescribing his physical condition during the hunger strike in a video message.

Hours before his transfer, Wangchuk released an emotional video message recorded around midnight on July 18. In it, he declared, "Yes, I am still alive," and spoke about the physical toll the protest had taken. He noted that he had lost nearly one-fifth of his body weight, with fats and muscles depleted, and expressed concern about reaching the stage where organs and brain function would be affected. Despite his weakened state, Wangchuk asserted he remained mentally alert.

Wangchuk defended the purpose of his protest, drawing a parallel between the political impact of rising onion prices and the critical issue of students' lives and the state of education. He argued that if concerns over onions could influence governments, a movement focused on education deserved even greater public attention. He highlighted that over 20 children had reportedly died by suicide this year and implored people to join a proposed Parliament march on July 20, stating, "You are our strength. Otherwise, who am I? I am a lonely, hungry human being."

Governments have fallen over onions. We are talking about the lives of children.

โ€” Sonam WangchukComparing the political impact of economic issues with the importance of education and students' lives.

Following Wangchuk's hospitalisation, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged he was beaten and detained in what he described as a "crackdown on protesters." Delhi Police, however, stated that Wangchuk was moved solely to ensure essential medical care and appealed for protesters to vacate the site peacefully. Meanwhile, Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, insisted that no medical treatment should be administered without her consent or that of the treating doctors. The hospitalisation has amplified attention on Wangchuk's protest and his midnight video message ahead of the planned march.

March with me to Parliament on July 20. You are our strength. Otherwise, who am I? I am a lonely, hungry human being.

โ€” Sonam WangchukUrging supporters to join the upcoming Parliament march.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.