Sonam Wangchuk Loses 8.5 Kg; Petition Seeks Force-Feeding As Health Worsens

New Delhi: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking immediate medical help for climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.  

Who has filed the petition?

This petition was filed by activist and lawyer Rakesh Kumar Saini. Saini has demanded immediate instructions from the Central Government and the Delhi Government to take Wangchuk to the hospital and provide him with necessary medical treatment, including force-feeding.

The government was also asked to issue instructions for the protection of Wangchuk's life and health.

When will the court hear the matter?

The matter is listed for hearing today before a division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tejas Karia.

"The simple thing to be done is to take him to a 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 PIL mentioned.

What is the matter?

Wangchuk is on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET exam, including the paper leak.

Their protest was organised in support of the youth-focused political movement 'Cockroach Janata Party' (CJP).

Wangchuk began his hunger strike on June 28. As his protest entered its third week, his condition deteriorated significantly. According to reports, he lost more than 8 kilograms and his blood sugar levels also dropped.