New Delhi, July 18 (UNI) Activist Sonam Wangchuk was taken to a hospital by Delhi Police early Saturday after completing 20 days of an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, where he had been protesting over the alleged NEET paper leak.
Authorities said the move was prompted by his deteriorating health and was carried out in compliance with directions of the Delhi High Court.
Police personnel arrived at the protest site before dawn and shifted the 59-year-old activist to a medical facility. The action triggered protests and sloganeering by supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which has been spearheading the agitation demanding the resignation of union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Issuing a statement, Delhi Police said the decision followed medical advice and court directions. “Sonam Wangchuk has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care,” the statement said, adding that the action was taken because of his declining health condition.
The police also appealed to protesters to vacate Jantar Mantar peacefully. “While complying with the orders of the Hon’ble High Court, the protesters tried to create obstruction, in which slight commotion ensued. Police, however, exercised maximum restraint and undertook the exercise safely. We request the protesters at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest,” the statement added.
According to Friday’s health update issued by Dr. Satish Lamba, General Physician and Medical Superintendent at The Clinics, Hauz Khas, Wangchuk’s weight had fallen to nearly 56.6 kg, taking his total weight loss since the beginning of the fast on June 28 to more than nine kilograms.
Explaining the effects of prolonged fasting, Dr. Lamba said, “After glucose reserves are exhausted, the body consumes fat. After that, muscles begin to get consumed. His ketone level had reached 3-plus and, after improving hydration, it has come down to 2-plus. His uric acid is high, which indicates that muscles are being consumed.”
Warning of possible complications if the fast continued, he said, “The next stage can be alarming. Organs can be impacted. We are keeping him under 24×7 vigilance and hope it does not reach that stage.”
Making an appeal for timely intervention, Dr. Lamba added, “I urge the government to intervene as soon as possible because he is a precious gem and we do not want to lose him. If organs get impacted, it can be really alarming for us.”
The medical bulletin recorded his blood pressure at 108/68 mmHg, blood sugar at 80 mg/dL, pulse rate at 72 beats per minute and oxygen saturation at 96 per cent. Doctors noted mild dehydration but said he remained conscious, mentally alert and under round-the-clock observation.
As Wangchuk’s health worsened, several opposition leaders visited him at the protest site over the past two days. Congress leader Pawan Khera, Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal expressed support for his campaign while urging him to call off the fast in view of his medical condition.
