Sonam Wangchuk Refuses Treatment At Safdarjung Hospital After 20-Day Fast
On Saturday morning, Delhi Police shifted 59-year-old activist Sonam Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site to Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi after his health deteriorated during a 20-day hunger strike. Wangchuk, who has been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged nationwide examination irregularities, was admitted at 7:40 am but is refusing all medical treatment.
According to a health bulletin released by Safdarjung Hospital, Wangchuk was admitted with a history of fasting from solid food for 20 consecutive days and generalized weakness. Doctors reported that while he was conscious with a stable pulse, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation upon admission, he showed clear signs of dehydration.
Medical examinations revealed that Wangchuk is suffering from compensated acidosis, low blood sugar of 78 mg/dl, and decreased serum potassium levels. Furthermore, his urinary ketone levels rose significantly from 1+ at the time of admission to 3+ by 1:00 pm on Saturday.
Hospital authorities warned that these conditions pose a severe risk to his kidney function and could lead to other metabolic complications due to dehydration and low potassium. Despite these medical concerns, Wangchuk has refused all advised intravenous fluids, oral rehydration fluids, and other medications. Doctors and hospital authorities are continuously monitoring him and counseling his family to allow treatment to begin without further delay.
The Delhi Police stated that the operation to shift Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar to the hospital was carried out with maximum restraint, following medical advice and directions issued by the Delhi High Court.
Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike was launched to protest against the central government regarding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) paper leak controversy and other alleged examination irregularities.
Meanwhile, protests at Jantar Mantar continued through other groups, such as the Cockroach Janata Party, which has called for a march to Parliament on Monday. However, Delhi Police has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita across the New Delhi district to prevent unauthorized gatherings during the upcoming Monsoon Session.
