newspop
Petition Warns Activist’s Life Is at Immediate Risk; Urges Court to Order Hospitalisation and Emergency Medical Intervention
New Delhi: As environmentalist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk entered the 18th day of his indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, a petition has been filed before the Delhi High Court seeking urgent medical intervention to save his life.
The plea, filed by activist-lawyer Rakesh Kumar Saini, requests the court to direct both the Central Government and the Delhi Government to immediately shift Wangchuk to a government hospital and provide life-saving treatment, including medically supervised nutritional support if required.
According to the petition, Wangchuk’s health has deteriorated sharply after more than two weeks without food. Organisers of the protest claim he has already lost around 8.5 kilograms, raising serious concerns about his physical condition.
The petitioner warned that the activist’s condition has become critical and alleged that, if the hunger strike continues without intervention, his life could be in danger within the next two days. The plea stresses that preserving human life must take priority and urges the court to act without delay.In a significant request, the petition argues that authorities should administer a liquid diet containing essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals under medical supervision, even if it has to be done against Wangchuk’s wishes, to prevent irreversible health complications.
“The simple thing to be done is to take him to a government hospital and force-feed him the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals by way of a liquid diet which are necessary for the human body to survive,” the petition states.It further adds that allowing the activist to die during the protest would bring disrepute to the country, stating, “If he passes away, it would be a matter of great shame for the country and the world.”
Wangchuk’s hunger strike has drawn widespread attention and sparked growing public debate, with supporters demanding that the government engage in dialogue while medical experts continue to express concern over the risks associated with prolonged fasting.
The Delhi High Court is expected to consider the plea as concerns over Wangchuk’s health continue to intensify.
