'Arrest me': Sonam Wangchuk's confrontation with Police at Safdarjung Hospital goes viral
New Delhi, July 25
A video showing activist Sonam Wangchuk confronting police personnel inside Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital has gone viral on social media, drawing fresh attention to the events surrounding his hunger strike in support of students protesting the NEET paper leak.
Wangchuk had been shifted to Safdarjung Hospital from the Jantar Mantar protest site on July 18 after his health deteriorated during the indefinite fast. The viral video captures an emotional exchange that reportedly took place on July 21, the same day the Delhi High Court directed that he be transferred to a hospital of his choice.
In the footage, Wangchuk is seen attempting to leave the hospital. A police officer appears to stop him from exiting, prompting the activist to strongly object.
"Ask them to arrest me. I am a free citizen," Wangchuk is heard telling the officer.
He further alleges that he was being harassed despite his deteriorating health, saying, "You all are harassing me. If I die because of this stress, it will be your responsibility."
The police officer is heard denying the allegation, insisting that he was not trying to harass Wangchuk. However, the activist continues walking towards the exit while expressing his displeasure over the situation.
"You have kept me here for no reason for three hours on the 24th day of my hunger strike. You are harassing me. If anything happens to me because of this stress, it will be your responsibility," Wangchuk says in the video.
At another point, he is heard saying, "I am leaving. Arrest me. Shameless people."
Addressing hospital officials, Wangchuk remarks, "Ask your doctors. I wanted to leave with gratitude and preserve whatever honour was left. But now I am sorry to say I have to leave with this comment. You are the worst institution affected by these people. You have sold your souls."
Responding to the circulation of the video, Safdarjung Hospital issued a clarification stating that the incident occurred before the hospital administration received the Delhi High Court's written order permitting Wangchuk's transfer to another medical facility.
According to the hospital, the video was recorded inside its premises, where videography is prohibited, and was allegedly filmed by Wangchuk's associates before being released publicly.
The hospital further stated that Wangchuk had insisted on leaving after learning through media reports that the High Court had allowed his transfer. However, the administration maintained that it acted only after receiving the official written order from the court.
Hospital authorities said Wangchuk was handed over to a team of doctors from Medanta Hospital in Gurugram at 6:40 p.m. on the same day immediately after the written order was received.
Meanwhile, Wangchuk released a video message on Friday night responding to remarks by trolls surrounding his decision to end his 26-day hunger strike. Some social media users had questioned the sincerity of his protest after he called off the fast.
Currently undergoing treatment at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, Wangchuk defended his decision, saying he did not require a "character certificate" for undertaking a fast aimed at supporting students.
"After fasting for 26 days for the students, losing 11 kilograms of body weight, including muscle mass, and pushing my organs and brain to the verge of irreversible damage, do I still need a character certificate from anyone to prove the sincerity of my fast or explain whose hands I accepted water from or whether I made any deal?" he said.
His wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, also came out in his defence, urging critics to refrain from making political judgments and instead show compassion. She said Wangchuk was being treated in the Intensive Care Unit after suffering significant weight loss during the prolonged hunger strike.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is a classic case of bureaucracy versus activism. The police were following protocol, but Wangchuk's health was critical. I've seen similar situations in other countries where authorities and activists clash over procedures. The Delhi High Court intervention seems reasonable - let the patient choose where to get treated. India needs more compassionate governance, especially for activists who are literally starving for a cause.
Honestly, I'm tired of these dramatic confrontations being turned into media spectacles. 🤷♂️ Wangchuk is a respected activist, but does he need to shout "shameless people" at the police? Bureaucrats and cops are just doing their jobs. The real issue is the NEET paper leak and corruption in education - let's focus on that instead of making heroes out of everyone who argues with authorities.
I appreciate Wangchuk's passion for students' rights, but 26 days of hunger strike is extreme. Having worked in healthcare, I know that such prolonged fasting can cause irreversible organ damage. 😔 Why not use other forms of protest that don't risk your life? The police and hospital staff were probably just worried about liability. Still, the treatment of someone in that condition seems less than ideal.
Wangchuk ji ka dard samajh mein aa raha hai. Jab aap 24 din se bhukh hartal par ho aur aapko hospital mein roka ja raha ho, toh gussa toh aayega hi. Lekin police walon ko bhi dosh nahi dena chahiye - unke paas orders nahi the. Yeh poori mamla bureaucracy ka hai. Delhi High Court ne sahi kiya ki unhe transfer karne ka order diya. Bas ab inka swasthya theek ho jaye 🙏
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