Sonam Wangchuk Fast – Artifex.News

Delhi HC directs daily medical monitoring of Sonam Wangchuk amid indefinite hunger strike

admin — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 06:24:00 +0000

A doctor, right, examines educationist and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, center, who undertakes an indefinite hunger strike during a Cockroach Janta Party protest demanding the resignation of India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities and repeated paper leaks in New Delhi, India, Thursday, July 16, 2026.
| Photo Credit: AP

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday (July 16, 2026) directed the Centre and the Delhi government to ensure that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s medical condition is “clinically and otherwise” monitored on a daily basis and that any medical intervention required to address his deteriorating health is promptly provided.

A Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia passed the direction while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking urgent intervention to safeguard Mr. Wangchuk’s health as he continues his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.

During the hearing, the Bench asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta whether any mechanism was in place to monitor Mr. Wangchuk’s health.

“Mr. Solicitor, is there any mechanism in place to check the health condition of this person?” the court asked.

Responding to the query, Mr. Mehta submitted that Mr. Wangchuk undergoes a daily health check-up.

The court observed that it wanted the activist to be “regularly medically checked up by government doctors” and directed that the authorities intervene whenever doctors considered medical treatment necessary.

“He [Solicitor General Mehta] further assures the court that depending upon the opinion of the doctors, whatever medical intervention is needed to check the deteriorating health condition of Mr. Wangchuk will also be taken,” the court recorded in its order.

The Bench further observed, “While noticing the assurances given by the Solicitor General, we only observe that the life of any citizen is precious and efforts ought to be made by the government authorities to save the same.” With this order, the court closed the PIL.

The petition was filed by advocate and social activist Rakesh Kumar Saini, who contended that Mr. Wangchuk’s health had deteriorated after several days of fasting and sought immediate judicial intervention to protect his life.

Mr. Saini relied on a The Hindu report published on July 14, titled “Fasting Student Hospitalized, Wangchuk loses 8.25 kg as strike continues,” to argue that Mr. Wangchuk required urgent medical assistance.

Mr. Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar since June 28, demanding action on issues concerning the country’s education system and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The petition argued that the government could not remain a passive spectator, contending that failure to intervene could amount to “abetment of suicide” under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

It urged the authorities to provide immediate medical attention to Mr. Wangchuk, “even if forcibly to ensure his good health and to save his life.”

The plea further suggested that the activist be shifted to a government hospital and administered the nutrients, vitamins and minerals necessary for survival through a liquid diet if required.

Published – July 16, 2026 11:52 am IST

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Sonam Wangchuk hunger strike: ‘Government cruel for ignoring fast,’ says CJP’s Abhijeet Dipke

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 11:16:00 +0000

Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk being attended by medical professionals on the 18th day of his indefinite hunger strike during the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) protest, demanding the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi on July 15, 2026)
| Photo Credit: ANI

Activist Sonam Wangchuk was under round-the-clock medical supervision on Wednesday as he completed the 18th day of his hunger strike, with Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke accusing the government of being “cruel” for refusing to engage in dialogue with the protesters.

The CJP’s protest at Jantar Mantar against alleged irregularities in the NEET examination entered its 26th day on Wednesday (July 15, 2026).

According to the medical bulletin issued by the CJP, Mr. Wangchuk remains “very weak” and is under 24-hour medical vigilance.

His weight has fallen to 57.15 kg, a drop of 400 grams in the last 24 hours, taking his total weight loss since the beginning of the fast to 8.9 kg. His blood pressure was recorded at 105/76, blood sugar at 80 mg/dL, and oxygen saturation at 97%, while hydration was described as fair.

Doctors said he remained conscious and mentally alert but required continuous monitoring.

“Day 18 of Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike. The man who chose to put his own life on the line to seek justice for students who died by suicide has received nothing but silence from the government. The government is not just unaccountable; it is also cruel,” Mr. Dipke said on X.

Mr. Dipke said the questions that deserved answers were why Prime Minister Narendra Modi was refusing to engage in dialogue and why Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had still not been held accountable.

“Instead of asking why opposition leader hasn’t supported CJP, or why every CJP team member isn’t on a hunger strike alongside Sonam sir, ask the questions that actually matter,” he said.

“Why is the Prime Minister refusing to engage in a dialogue? Why is the Education Minister still not being held accountable? These are the questions that deserve answers, not distractions that only help shield those in power from accountability,” he said.

The CJP also announced a one-day mass hunger strike on July 16 in solidarity with Mr. Wangchuk and students protesting at Jantar Mantar.

The outfit that was born online renewed its appeal to people to join its “Chalo Sansad” march on July 20, demanding a transparent examination system, accountability for repeated paper leaks, and Mr. Pradhan’s sacking.

At a separate stage, the All India Students’ Association (AISA) leaders Neha, Manish, and Aameen continued their fast despite worsening health.

The Left-backed organisation said a delegation comprising academics Nivedita Menon, Aditya Nigam, Anuradha Chenoy, and Radha Kumar visited the students.

Samajwadi Party MP Priya Saroj, MLA Atul Pradhan, and MLC Man Singh Yadav also extended support and urged people to join the July 20 Parliament march.

On Tuesday (July 14, 2026), Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal appealed to Wangchuk to end his fast, while veteran actor Zeenat Aman urged the government to initiate dialogue with the activist.

Former Gujarat chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela was among those who visited Jantar Mantar on Tuesday (July 14, 2026) to express solidarity with Wangchuk and the CJP protesters. Actor Swara Bhaskar also joined the protest. The CJP thanked Congress MP Shashi Tharoor for extending support to the agitation.

Mr. Dipke also appealed to supporters to change their display pictures on social media as a mark of solidarity with Mr. Wangchuk. The CJP has claimed that more than 1.3 lakh people have registered their support through its missed-call campaign for the Parliament march.

Published – July 15, 2026 03:53 pm IST

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Sonam Wangchuk Sits On Fast At Ladakh Bhawan

admin — Sun, 06 Oct 2024 13:35:34 +0000

Around 18 people, including Sonam Wangchuk, sat close to the gate of the Ladakh Bhawan. (File)

New Delhi:

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Sunday sat on a fast at the Ladakh Bhawan where he was staying, after the protesters were denied permission to stage the stir for Ladakh’s Sixth Schedule status at Jantar Mantar.

Sonam Wangchuk, in a brief interaction with media before starting the fast, said they were forced to stage the protest at the Ladakh Bhawan after failing to find any venue for their stir.

Around 18 people, including Sonam Wangchuk, sat close to the gate of the Ladakh Bhawan, singing the Hindi version of ‘We Shall Overcome’, and raised slogans such as ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, “Jai Ladakh ” and “Save Ladakh, Save Himalaya”.

On Sunday morning, Sonam Wangchuk took to ‘X’ to say that they have been denied permission to sit on a fast at Jantar Mantar.

“Another rejection, another frustration. Finally this morning we got this rejection letter for the officially designated place for protests,” Sonam Wangchuk said.

The climate activist led the ‘Delhi Chalo Padayatra’, which began in Leh a month ago. The march was organised by Leh Apex Body, which along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance, has been spearheading an agitation for the last four years seeking statehood for Ladakh, its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, a public service commission for Ladakh, and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.

On Saturday, a majority of the protesters returned to Ladakh while the remaining stayed back to join Wangchuk for the fast

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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After Sonam Wangchuk Detained In Delhi, Supporters Blockade NH1 Near Leh

admin — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 07:26:38 +0000

New Delhi:

Delhi Police’s detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk – at the Singhu border Monday night, while his supporters and he were marching to the national capital – has led to tension in the Union Territory of Ladakh, where he is leading a fight to safeguard the local ecology.

This morning nearly two dozen protesters mounted crude blockades – including sticks mounted across upturned traffic cones – on National Highway 1, about six km from the town of Fiang.

The blockades have reportedly trapped tourists, including those from abroad. The situation in-between these blockades is understood to be tense but calm, for now. Visuals show at least protesters gathered behind a blockade, with about 100 cars and 50 trucks parked behind them.

“We are stuck on NH1 (due to protests) by supporters of the activist Sonam Wangchuk… they have placed various blockades on the highway. They are not letting anyone pass… around 200-300 people stuck,” Phillipe Geelhand, a tourist stuck on the highway, told NDTV via a phone call.

Image shared by Phillipe Geelhand

Mr Geelhand said a group of 20-30 foreign tourists, who had visited the monastery in Fiang this morning, had to walk back to Leh, which is about 15 km away, because the vehicles were not allowed to pass. The tourists also had to leave some of their bags and belongings in the cars.

“The mood is currently calm but tense. You feel that a small spark can deteriorate the situation in no time…” Mr Geelhand said, noting that commercial vehicles had been blocked too.

He said the number of vehicles stuck at the blockade point has not increased as cars and trucks were being stopped at earlier checkpoints. “Only military vehicles are allowed to cross,” he said.

“It’s quiet but tenses each time a vehicle approaches,” Mr Geelhand told NDTV.

Sonam Wangchuk Detained

More than 100 people, including Mr Wangchuk, were walking to Delhi to urge the government to resume dialogue over demands that include listing Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which provides protection and autonomy to certain tribal areas that helps better manage resources.

READ | Delhi Police Detain Climate Activist Sonam Wangchuk At Singhu Border

They were detained Monday night for violating prohibitory orders.

Mr Wangchuk also shared news of his detention on X, posting, “I AM BEING DETAINED… along with 150 padyatris at Delhi border by a police force of hundreds… some say 1,000. Many elderly men and women in their 80s and a few dozen Army veterans… Our fate is unknown.”

I AM BEING DETAINED…
along with 150 padyatris
at Delhi Border, by a police force of 100s some say 1,000.
Many elderly men & women in their 80s and few dozen Army veterans…
Our fate is unknown.
We were on a most peaceful march to Bapu’s Samadhi… in the largest democracy… pic.twitter.com/iPZOJE5uuM

— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) September 30, 2024

“We were on the most peaceful march to Bapu’s Samadhi (to Rajghat in Delhi to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi) in the largest democracy in the world, the mother of democracy… Hai Ram!”

His detention has been criticised by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who called it “unacceptable” and demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi answer to “Ladakh’s voice”.

“Why are elderly citizens being detained at Delhi’s border for standing up for Ladakh’s future? Modiji, as with the farmers, this ‘chakravyuh‘ will be broken and so will your arrogance. You will have to listen to Ladakh’s voice,” he said on X.

The detention of Sonam Wangchuk ji and hundreds of Ladakhis peacefully marching for environmental and constitutional rights is unacceptable.

Why are elderly citizens being detained at Delhi’s border for standing up for Ladakh’s future?

Modi ji, like with the farmers, this…

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 30, 2024

Since August 2019, when Article 370 was scrapped and former state of Jammu and Kashmir was split into two union territories, one of which is the UT of Ladakh, Mr Wangchuk has been demanding concrete steps be taken to safeguard the local environment.

He has also been campaigning for statehood for Ladakh.

READ | Why Climate Activist Sonam Wangchuk Is On Foot March Mission

He staged a five-day ‘climate fast’ at the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Ladakh in Leh from January 26, which ended with a public rally at the city’s Polo Ground on January 31.

Hundreds of locals joined Mr Wangchuk – a Ramon Magsaysay award winner – who followed that with a a 21-day fast in March – days before the Lok Sabha election.

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