Delhi High Court Seeks Government Response on Plea to Force-Feed Striking Activist Sonam Wangchuk
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The Delhi High Court has issued urgent notices to the Central and Delhi governments in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking immediate medical intervention and the force-feeding of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar since June 28, demanding educational reforms and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations.
The petition, filed by activist lawyer Rakesh Kumar Saini, warns that the 59-year-old educator’s health has deteriorated severely. According to the plea, Wangchuk has lost approximately 8.5 kilograms, is experiencing extreme muscle loss, and could face life-threatening complications within two days if the fast continues. The petitioner urged the court to direct authorities to admit Wangchuk to a government hospital and administer essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals through a medically supervised liquid diet to preserve his life. The plea also criticizes the government’s apparent apathy, accusing officials of treating a peaceful protestor with the severity reserved for criminals.
In a hearing on Wednesday, a division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia recognized the extreme urgency of the matter. Despite the absence of government counsel due to an ongoing lawyers’ strike, the bench entertained the petition and directed both the Union and Delhi governments to present their instructions by Thursday. Meanwhile, despite mounting pleas from prominent opposition leaders, activists, and citizens urging him to end his strike, Wangchuk remains resolute, demanding that the government open a dialogue rather than ignore the ongoing protest.
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