Delhi Police on Saturday moved activist Sonam Wangchuk to a hospital after 20 days on a hunger strike, citing concerns over his worsening health amid his protest against India’s examination system.
Wangchuk, 59, began his indefinite fast on June 28, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in examinations for admission into medical schools.
His protest at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar has drawn hundreds of students in recent weeks, while additional demonstrations have been organised by the satirical Cockroach Janta Party online movement.
Confirming the development, a deputy commissioner of Delhi Police said, “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.”
The officer added, “While complying with the orders… the protestors tried to create obstruction, in which slight commotion ensued.”
Police also appealed to those remaining at the protest ground, saying, “We request the protestors at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest.”
Videos from the protest site showed police officers surrounding Wangchuk’s stage and carrying him away under white sheets as some supporters reacted in confusion.
The transfer followed a New Delhi court order issued on Thursday directing government doctors to examine Wangchuk’s condition every day.
In its ruling, the court stressed that “The life of any citizen is precious,” after activist lawyer Rakesh Kumar Saini argued in a petition that Wangchuk’s prolonged fast could prove fatal if he did not resume eating.
The Delhi High Court further directed authorities, saying, “Whatever medical intervention is needed to save Sonam Wangchuk’s life should be done.”
An engineer by profession, Wangchuk has earned international recognition for his innovative water conservation projects in the Himalayan region.
Just hours before police intervened, he reaffirmed his resolve, declaring, “Smaller movements have brought down many governments in India… and here it is about education.”
The protest comes in the wake of a major examination controversy. Last month, about 2.2 million aspiring medical students were required to sit for a fresh entrance examination under heightened security after the original test was cancelled because of a paper leak that sparked nationwide outrage.
The controversy, coupled with a separate marking error in high school examinations, has triggered widespread criticism and youth-led demonstrations across India.
Several opposition politicians have publicly backed Wangchuk and the students participating in the protests.
