Sonam Wangchuk Seeks Release From Safdarjung Hospital For Parliament March

On Monday morning, July 20, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk requested temporary release from Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi to participate in the "Sansad Chalo" march to Parliament. Wangchuk asserted that his health was fine and his medical parameters were normal, though the hospital administration maintained he required continued observation following his prolonged fast.

In a handwritten letter addressed to the director and medical superintendent of VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, Wangchuk wrote that he was feeling very fine and his health parameters were showing as quite normal. He requested permission to leave the hospital temporarily to join the march scheduled for that morning.

"I am feeling very fine today and my health parameters are also showing as quite normal," Wangchuk wrote in the letter dated July 20. "Hence I request you to kindly allow me to leave the hospital, even if temporarily, so that I can join the March to the Parliament – Sansad Chalo – this morning."

He added that he would be most grateful for the permission. The letter was subsequently shared on Wangchuk's official X handle. A message accompanying the post questioned why the activist was still being kept at the medical facility despite his stable health.

The social media post stated that Wangchuk was trying hard to meet supporters and raised questions about the ongoing restrictions, noting that authorities claimed he was not under detention. The situation has highlighted the tension between Wangchuk's desire to participate in the protest and the restrictions on his movement.

VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital issued a health bulletin on Monday morning detailing Wangchuk's condition. While the hospital confirmed that his vital parameters remained stable, they noted that his blood parameters continued to warrant close clinical observation. The hospital maintained that he required uninterrupted medical care following his prolonged fast.