"Life of every citizen is precious": Delhi HC directs daily medical monitoring of Sonam Wangchuk during hunger strike
New Delhi, July 16
The Delhi High Court on Thursday observed that "the life of every citizen is precious and all efforts ought to be made by the government authorities to save the same," while directing that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's medical condition be clinically monitored on a daily basis during his ongoing hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.
The Court further directed that any medical intervention required, based on the opinion of government doctors, should be provided.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia passed the directions while disposing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by petitioner Rakesh Kumar Sahni, who sought the Court's intervention over Wangchuk's deteriorating health.
While dictating the order, the Bench noted that the petition expressed concern over Wangchuk's health and recorded that he had been on a fast at Jantar Mantar for the past 17-18 days in support of certain demands.
The Court observed that the petition alleged his health had deteriorated due to the prolonged hunger strike.
Appearing virtually for the Centre and the Delhi Government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Court that Wangchuk's health was already being checked daily and that his medical parameters were being regularly monitored.
The Bench asked whether there was an established mechanism to monitor Wangchuk's health. In response, Mehta assured the Court that government doctors and medical experts were conducting regular examinations.
Recording the assurance, the Court observed that the life of every citizen is precious and appreciated the stand taken by the Solicitor General. It directed that Wangchuk's health continue to be clinically monitored on a daily basis by government doctors and experts and that any medical intervention required, based on the doctors' opinion, be undertaken without delay.
Mehta also assured the Court that if required, another medical team could be sent to examine Wangchuk.
In view of the assurance given by the Centre and the Delhi Government, the High Court disposed of the PIL.
Wangchuk, an engineer, education reformer and climate activist from Ladakh, has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to press for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following nationwide examination irregularities and the high-profile NEET paper leak controversy. The PIL filed by Rakesh Kumar Sahni sought directions to ensure regular medical monitoring and timely treatment in view of concerns over Wangchuk's health during the prolonged fast.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally a sensible order! Sonam Wangchuk is a national hero from Ladakh who has done amazing work in education and climate awareness. The government should talk to him instead of letting him starve. NEET paper leak is a serious issue affecting lakhs of students every year. We need accountability. 🙏
What a waste of judicial time. He's a climate activist, not a martyr. If he wants to starve himself, let him. The court should focus on real issues like pending criminal cases and land disputes. This is just a publicity stunt dressed up as a PIL.
Respect for the Delhi HC for upholding the sanctity of life. But can we also talk about why he's on hunger strike? NEET paper leaks have destroyed careers of thousands of honest students. If the education minister can't ensure exam integrity, he should step down. Wangchuk's hunger strike is a mirror to our education system's failures. 😠
I admire his commitment to the cause, but hunger strikes are a dangerous form of protest. The government should investigate the NEET issue properly, and Wangchuk should accept the medical help. No cause is worth dying for when you can fight another day.
This is a classic case of 'selective justice'. The same court that says 'life is precious' for an activist should also apply this principle to every Indian citizen. What about the lives lost due to police brutality during farmer protests? Makes you think, doesn't it? 🤨
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.