Activist and education reform campaigner Sonam Wangchuk was admitted into Safdarjung Hospital by the Delhi Police on Saturday after undertaking 21 days of hunger strike at Jantar Mantar due to growing health concerns. This is as a result of his poor health status which has worsened over the time due to his ongoing protests to push for his demands.
The Delhi Police admitted him into the hospital after being advised to do so by medical professionals and according to court orders meant to protect his health after being on hunger strike for three weeks. Doctors have noted that his health has deteriorated and thus he should be put under medical care. The Delhi Police insists that this move has nothing to do with anything other than keeping him healthy.
Wangchuk’s evacuation from Jantar Mantar has led to chaos around the same place where people tried to prevent police officers from taking him away from there. This resulted into minor conflicts and slogans of support towards him as seen in videos shared on various platforms.
Following his arrest, the protest planners have claimed that Wangchuk was forcibly detained without proper consultations and termed the move as an effort to curb any form of democratic dissent. Protesters have also vowed that they will pursue their protest even after his detention, with volunteers promising to go ahead with the campaign through further protest marches over the next few days.
Political reactions have ensued from the move with the opposition politicians criticizing the government over the management of the peaceful protest and demanding that it should enter into a discussion mode rather than using the police force. Civil society groups too have reacted over the development expressing their concerns over the same.
With Sonam Wangchuk currently under medical treatment, all eyes are now on whether the government will heed to the demands raised by the protest movement. It is yet another instance of the need to balance between public security and democratic freedom, while bringing attention across the nation to the issue Wangchuk is protesting against.
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