New Delhi: A fresh controversy has erupted after environmental activist and social worker Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a 21-day fast unto death at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday. Following his hospitalisation, Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, issued a clear directive to the hospital administration, stating that no medicines, injections, or intravenous drips should be administered to him without her consent and the approval of the doctors who have been monitoring his condition.
In a post on social media, Gitanjali Angmo also urged the hospital to give due importance to the recommendations of the medical team that had been closely observing Wangchuk’s health over the past 20 days.
What questions did the wife raise after being admitted to the hospital?
Speaking to the media, Geetanjali Angmo said that till Friday, Sonam Wangchuk’s condition was stable and there was no need to take him to the hospital. She says that it was not appropriate to admit him to the hospital without the consent of the family. She warned that if any medical procedure is adopted without her permission and any untoward situation arises, then the responsibility for it will be on the concerned authorities.
What did Delhi Police say?
Amidst these allegations, Delhi Police clarified that Wangchuk has been taken to the hospital following the advice of expert doctors and the instructions of the Delhi High Court. According to the police, his health was at increasing risk due to his continuous fast; hence, it became necessary to provide him with the necessary medical care. Police also said that an appeal has been made to the people protesting at Jantar Mantar to end the agitation peacefully and vacate the site.
Why was Wangchuk adamant on continuing the fast?
In his video message released a day before he was taken to the hospital, Sonam Wangchuk had said that despite his health continuously deteriorating, he would not end his fast. He claimed that during the hunger strike he had lost about 20 percent of his body weight, but despite this he would not back down from his demands.
He said that the government should now listen to the voice of the youth and ensure transparency in the examination system.
What is the whole matter?
Sonam Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 in support of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) movement. The agitators are demanding an impartial investigation into alleged irregularities in the NEET exam, deaths of students linked to the exam controversy, and action against those responsible. Along with this, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is also being demanded.
Delhi High Court is continuously keeping an eye on this entire matter. The court has directed that Wangchuk should undergo regular medical check-ups and, if necessary, he should be provided with immediate appropriate treatment. At the same time, after his wife’s statement, a new debate has started in the hospital regarding treatment and patients’ consent.
