Activist and environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk entered the 18th day of an indefinite hunger strike in New Delhi today (15 July) as India's Delhi High Court considered a petition seeking urgent medical intervention amid concerns over his health.
Wangchuk is taking part in a 25-day protest at Jantar Mantar organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), reports the Indian Express.
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Rakesh Kumar Saini asked the Delhi High Court to direct authorities to intervene, arguing that Wangchuk's deteriorating health had become "life-threatening."
The petition sought directions for the government to provide Wangchuk with essential liquid nutrition, proteins and vitamins, including through force-feeding if necessary, to ensure his survival.
The petitioner argued that while peaceful protest is protected under the Constitution, the state has a duty to prevent a citizen from voluntarily ending their life.
The plea also described Wangchuk's hunger strike as "Harakiri", referring to the Japanese term for ritual suicide.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia issued notices to the federal government and the Delhi government. Citing the urgency of the matter, the court scheduled a follow-up hearing for the following day.
In an open letter addressed to protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor made a direct appeal to Wangchuk to end his indefinite hunger strike, saying the protest had already "awakened the conscience of the nation" by drawing national attention to the issue and that the campaign should now continue through parliamentary channels.
"To Shri Sonam Wangchuk-ji, my heartfelt appeal: please end your fast. You have awakened the conscience of the nation; that is what a fast is meant to do. India needs your voice for the long road ahead," Tharoor wrote.
The Congress leader said the concerns raised by the protesters, particularly those affecting students, deserved broader discussion and action through democratic institutions, including Parliament.
The hunger strike has also drawn support from several figures in India's film industry, many of whom urged Wangchuk to end his fast while continuing his campaign.
Veteran actor Shabana Azmi appealed to him to remain healthy, saying, "Yeh ladayi aage tak ladni hai," while actor Soni Razdan also urged him to preserve his health. Actor Shreya Dhanwanthary called on Wangchuk to consider ending the fast, saying one "cannot reason with an apathetic state."
Actors Abhay Deol, Rubina Dilaik and Pooja Batra used social media to draw attention to Wangchuk's condition, with some describing him as a "real hero" and encouraging the public to speak out.
Lyricist Varun Grover criticised what he described as the "infinite appetite for violence" of those in power when confronted with non-violent resistance. Lyricist Swanand Kirkire questioned why the main opposition Indian National Congress had not joined the protest in support of students raising concerns over the NEET examination.
Wangchuk has said that democracy should be guided by empathy and compassion rather than rigidity.
Despite concerns over his health, organisers have announced plans to march to Parliament on 20 July to press their demands over the NEET controversy.
India / hunger strike / Sonam Wangchuk
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