A petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court to protect the life and health of Sonam Wangchuk, an engineer, education reformer and climate activist. He has been on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi since June 28. The petition wants the court to order authorities to take Wangchuk to a government hospital and give him a diet if needed.
The petition was filed by advocate Rakesh Kumar Saini, a 68-year-old lawyer with over 40 years of experience. Saini has previously handled public interest cases related to rights. The petition says that despite Wangchuk’s hunger strike, authorities have not talked to him or addressed his concerns. The petitioner argues that the state has a duty to protect its citizens’ lives and health. Allowing Wangchuk’s fast to continue without help would be a failure of that duty. Wangchuk has lost around 8.5 kilograms since he started fasting. His life could be in danger if the strike continues without intervention.
What the Protest Is About
Wangchuks fast is in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) a protest movement that started on June 20 at Jantar Mantar. The CJP wants Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign over allegations of examination paper leaks. They also want compensation for the families of students who died by suicide due to the alleged irregularities. Wangchuk has been campaigning for Ladakhs protections, including demands for Sixth Schedule safeguards and statehood.
Deteriorating Health and Political Appeals
As Wangchuk’s fast continues, his health has declined significantly. Despite this, he has refused to end the strike, saying attention should be on the protest’s demands. Many politicians have appealed to Wangchuk to end his fast, including Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav and Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra. A delegation from the Aam Aadmi Party and CPI(M) leaders have also expressed support for Wangchuk. The situation has prompted appeals from leaders across the spectrum to Wangchuk to end his fast.
Context of the Protest
The protest at Jantar Mantar is seen as a notable act of public defiance during Prime Minister Narendra Modis tenure. Other participants have also been affected by the protest with one hunger striker fainting this week.
What Happens Next
With the matter now before the Delhi High Court, attention will turn to how the court responds to the petition’s specific requests for medical intervention and government dialogue with Wangchuk. Given the reported severity of his declining health and the scale of political attention the protest has drawn, both the court’s response and any subsequent government engagement with the underlying demands are likely to be closely watched in the coming days.
