Wangchuk’s Wife Stated: “Nothing to be given by mouth or veins without consent”
Early Saturday morning (July 18, 2026), climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk was shifted from Jantar Mantar to VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi on the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike. Delhi Police carried out the action citing deteriorating health, expert medical advice, and compliance with Delhi High Court directions.
Earlier, Dipke said: “He was forcibly dragged away by the Delhi Police. We have no idea where they have taken him”
The forcible hospitalisation of education activist Sonam Wangchuk in the early hours of the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike has triggered a fierce political backlash, with opposition leaders, activists and civil society groups accusing the government of choosing force over dialogue.
His wife issued a statement stating, “No Treatment Without Consent”. Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J Angmo rushed to the hospital and issued a clear public statement. In a post on X, she wrote:
“I am at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi where @Wangchuk66 has been admitted. Nothing should be administered to him orally or intravenously without the consent of me, his family and his doctors who have been monitoring his health for the past 20 days.”
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) condemned the police action, stating:
“Instead of choosing the path of dialogue to end the ongoing peaceful fast by Sonam Wangchuk ji against the paper leak, the government has resorted to force and thuggery. This clearly shows that the government is scared of the students’ voice.”
Senior advocate and activist Prashant Bhushan alleged that Delhi Police, acting on government instructions, entered the protest site at Jantar Mantar and forcibly removed Wangchuk and other protesters.
Political activist Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, alleged that police personnel arrived early in the morning, dragged away Wangchuk despite his weakened condition after nearly three weeks of fasting, and assaulted protesters. Dipke further claimed he was also manhandled while attempting to reach the protest site. These allegations have not been independently verified.
The social media platform Cockroach is Back also claimed that Wangchuk had been taken by Delhi Police to an undisclosed location before authorities later confirmed he had been shifted to hospital.
Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reported that Delhi authorities moved Sonam Wangchuk to hospital on the 21st day of his hunger strike. According to police, the decision was taken after concerns over his deteriorating health during his fast demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged examination paper leak controversy.
The incident has intensified the national debate over the government’s handling of peaceful protests, with critics questioning why negotiations were not pursued before police intervention. Supporters of Wangchuk argue that the removal of a fasting protester by force raises serious concerns about democratic dissent and the right to peaceful protest, while authorities maintain that protecting life and public safety remains their primary responsibility.
As political reactions continue to pour in, the focus now shifts to Wangchuk’s health and whether the government will open a dialogue on the demands that brought thousands of students and supporters to Jantar Mantar.
