Social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on a hunger strike in New Delhi, was taken to the hospital against her will on Saturday, the 21st day of her hunger strike.
We use Google Cloud Translation Services. Google requires we provide the following disclaimer relating to use of this service:
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, expressed or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and noninfringement.
Social activist Sonam Wangchuk was taken to a hospital against her will in the Indian capital, New Delhi, on Saturday.
The 59-year-old Wangchuk had been on a hunger strike since June 28 in solidarity with the Kakraoch Janata Party (CJP), which is demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who is facing a question paper leak in various exams, including the NEET (UG) 2026, which affected lakhs of students in May. Wangchuk's campaign is seen as a rare public challenge to the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It has gained support across India and garnered global attention on social media. In television footage on Saturday, some plainclothes security personnel were seen standing on a stage set up at the protest site at Jantar Mantar, forming a large white curtain. They then took Wangchuk away.
Wangchuk had told government doctors on Friday that he did not want to go to the hospital. According to the hospital administration, he refused to take treatment on Saturday as well. Delhi Police Deputy Commissioner Sachin Sharma said that Wangchuk was taken to the government hospital for necessary treatment based on the court order , health condition and medical advice.
A statement issued by the government-run Safdarjung Hospital said that Wangchuk was very weak due to the prolonged fast and dehydration.
According to the hospital, despite doctors recommending intravenous fluids (IV fluids), he has refused to take IV fluids, oral rehydration solution (ORS) or any other medicine. However, the hospital said that his health condition is being constantly monitored and he is being advised to accept treatment.
Quoting information received from the hospital doctors, Wangchuk's personal doctor Satish Lamba said that the biggest concern now is hypokalemia (extremely low potassium levels in the blood).
Hypokalemia can be life-threatening if it becomes severe or if the potassium level suddenly drops. It can be treated by giving potassium intravenously in the hospital. Court had asked to monitor Wangchuk's health Hearing a petition filed seeking force-feeding of Wangchuk as his health deteriorated, the Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the authorities to closely monitor his health
and intervene if necessary.
Police also removed CJP supporters who were staging a sit-in at the protest site. However, after Wangchuk was taken to the hospital, supporters returned to the protest site after CJP founder Abhijit Dipke began an indefinite fast.
CJP protesters have said they will march to Parliament House on July 20, the day the monsoon session of Parliament begins, and reiterate their demand for Education Minister Pradhan's resignation and reforms in the examination system.
Wangchuk had also gone on a hunger strike before
During the CJP movement, Wangchuk was fasting on a bed in the middle of the stage while supporters and the general public were coming and going to the protest site.
Last year, the Modi government accused Wangchuk of inciting people by making provocative statements during violent protests in his native Ladakh. Wangchuk, who was on a hunger strike then, was released in March this year after spending about six months in jail. He has denied the charges against him and said that the violent protests were a result of public dissatisfaction with the federal government. Speaking on the third day of the hunger strike, Wangchuk said that he would continue his hunger strike for about six weeks until his demands are met before he dies.
He had said, “But hopefully, it will not have to go that far. In a democracy, a sensitive government listens to the pain of the people, and I hope that the government will take necessary steps.”
The hunger strike has received widespread discussion on social media. Users have posted more than 100,000 reels on Instagram alone, urging Wangchuk to end his hunger strike.
