‘Be fearless’: Sonam Wangchuk tells protesters to continue marching to Parliament on Monday | Today’s news
Sonam Wangchuk did not break her hunger strike at Safdarjung Hospital. Doctors at Safdarjung Hospital tried to feed him coconut water, which he refused, the climate activist’s wife Gitanjali Angmo said on Saturday (18 July). Wangchuk called on his supporters to go ahead with the planned march to parliament on Monday, saying the movement should continue peacefully despite his hospitalization.
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The news, shared by his wife Gitanjali Angmo on Saturday, came hours after the Delhi Police shifted the 59-year-old activist to Safdarjung Hospital on the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike.
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Sonam Wangchuk was hospitalized due to dehydration, low potassium and rising ketone levels after 21 days of his indefinite hunger strike.
Wangchuk refused medical treatment, including intravenous fluids and oral rehydration solutions, despite medical advice, citing personal choice during his hunger strike.
Gitanjali Angmo actively supported Wangchuk by reaching out to her supporters, questioning the hospital treatment and stating that she intends to continue leading the protest if he is unable.
After his hospitalization, Wangchuk urged his supporters to continue the planned march to parliament and remain fearless in their peaceful agitation.
Yes, the Janta Cockroach Party has confirmed that the march will continue as planned and will maintain its position on issues surrounding student rights and education.
Gitanjali Angmo said that Wangchuk did not end his fast, nor did he agree to consume the coconut water offered by the doctors. She also thanked the young protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar for standing by his campaign even as the authorities maintained a tight security presence around the hospital.
“Be fearless”: Wangchuk asks protesters to continue marching on parliament
Outside Safdarjung Angmo Hospital, he delivered Wangchuk’s message to supporters, saying the activist wanted the agitation to remain peaceful and continue as planned.
“Don’t be afraid,” Wangchuk told the protesters through his wife, urging them to continue marching to parliament on Monday despite his absence.
Angmo said Wangchuk is admitted to the restricted eighth floor of Safdarjung Hospital and remains committed to his hunger strike.
Read also | How Delhi Police shifted Sonam Wangchuk to hospital: Blow after blow
She said doctors tried to give him coconut water, but he refused. She also told supporters that Wangchuk expressed gratitude to the youth at Jantar Mantar for standing by him throughout the protest.
The hospital says Wangchuk refused treatment despite medical advice
Safdarjung Hospital said Wangchuk was brought by the Delhi Police and admitted at 7:40 am on Saturday. According to the hospital’s medical bulletin, he was conscious and his pulse, blood pressure and oxygen saturation were stable, although doctors observed signs of dehydration.
“Although IV fluids were recommended, the patient refused all IV fluids, oral rehydration fluids, or any other medications. He is being continuously monitored and referred for treatment in the best interest of his health,” the bulletin said.
Hospital authorities also said earlier in the day that Wangchuk refused intravenous fluids, oral rehydration solution and medication despite dehydration and metabolic abnormalities. Doctors said they continued to advise him to accept treatment, while sources familiar with the matter said his family had also been advised to allow medical intervention.
Earlier on Friday, doctors said Wangchuk had lost nearly 9.5kg since the hunger strike began.
Delhi Police removed Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar amid protests
Delhi Police on Saturday morning moved Sonam Wangchuk from the protest site at Jantar Mantar citing medical advice and directions of the Delhi High Court. The move drew sharp criticism from opposition parties, who accused the government of suppressing peaceful dissent.
Witnesses said a large contingent of police officers, including plainclothes officers, arrived at the protest site around 7am. Security personnel formed a cordon around the stage where Wangchuk was resting before taking him to an ambulance as supporters tried to intervene.
Read also | ‘Wrong’: Rahul Gandhi slams government in first statement on Jantar Mantar protest
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has been agitating over the NEET paper leak issue and demanding the removal of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, has stepped up its protest following Wangchuk’s removal. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced an indefinite hunger strike, demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reaffirmed that the planned march to Parliament on July 20 would go ahead.
The organization later said on X that Wangchuk had “not broken” his hunger strike and would continue his fast from the hospital.
Shortly after his admission, Angmo also asked the hospital not to complain
