New Delhi, July 18, KNT: Hours after Delhi Police removed climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk from his hunger strike site at Jantar Mantar and shifted him to Safdarjung Hospital, his wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, appealed to the authorities not to administer any oral or intravenous treatment without the consent of the family and the medical team that had been monitoring his health.
Wangchuk was shifted to the government hospital after completing 21 days of an indefinite hunger strike. The police said the action was taken on the advice of medical experts and in compliance with directions of the Delhi High Court, which had earlier directed authorities to closely monitor his health and intervene if his condition deteriorated. The removal triggered a brief commotion at the protest site, with organizers alleging that police forcibly lifted Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar, while the police maintained that the intervention was solely to provide essential medical care.
In a post on X from Safdarjung Hospital, Gitanjali J. Angmo said she was present at the hospital and requested that no medication be administered to Wangchuk without the consent of his family and the doctors who had supervised his health throughout the fast.
"Nothing should be administered to him orally or intravenously without taking consent from me, his family and his doctors who have been monitoring his health for the past 20 days," she wrote.
Speaking to reporters, Angmo also questioned the necessity of the hospitalization, saying Wangchuk's treating doctors and family should be involved in any medical decision concerning him.
According to hospital officials, Wangchuk is in a stable condition but remains under continuous medical observation because of the effects of his prolonged fast.
Wangchuk's removal from the protest site has drawn criticism from his supporters, while Delhi Police have maintained that the action was undertaken strictly on medical advice and in accordance with the High Court's directions. [KNT]
