In a significant development regarding the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar, activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday. This move occurred on the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike, which has been drawing considerable attention. The decision to move him was made by the Delhi Police, citing concerns over his deteriorating health condition. Following his admission to the hospital, his wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, has issued a firm ultimatum regarding his medical care and the procedures to be followed by the hospital authorities.
Wife Demands Consent for Medical Treatment
Gitanjali J. Angmo, the wife of Sonam Wangchuk, has made it clear that no medical treatment should be administered to her husband without her explicit approval, while speaking after Wangchuk was taken from the protest site at Jantar Mantar, Angmo stated that he's currently at Safdarjung Hospital. She emphasized that she has strictly forbidden the hospital authorities from providing any treatment without her consent. She insisted that no medical procedures should begin unless she authorizes them, warning that if anything happens to him, all parties involved will be held responsible for the consequences.
In a detailed post on the social media platform X, Angmo further elaborated on her stance. She mentioned that she's present at Safdarjung Hospital where Wangchuk has been admitted, while she stated that nothing should be administered to him, whether orally or through an intravenous line, without the prior approval of his family and the specific doctors who have been monitoring his health for the past 20 days. This demand highlights the family's desire to maintain control over the activist's medical intervention during this critical period of his protest.
Questioning the Hospitalization Decision
Angmo has also raised questions regarding the necessity of the decision to hospitalize Wangchuk at this particular time, while according to her observations, Wangchuk appeared to be in a stable condition as recently as Friday. She argued that there was no immediate need to bring him to the hospital against the current circumstances. Invoking legal grounds, she stated that under Article 32, it's her right to ensure that no medication or treatment is given to him without her consent and the consent of his personal medical team. This assertion underscores the legal and personal battle surrounding the activist's health management and the rights of the family.
Police Statement and High Court Orders
On the other hand, the Deputy Commissioner of Police of New Delhi provided the official rationale behind the police action. The DCP explained that the decision to shift Sonam Wangchuk to the hospital for necessary medical care was taken in light of his declining health. This action was reportedly based on expert medical advice and was carried out in compliance with the orders of the Delhi High Court. The police maintained that their primary concern was the well-being of the activist given the duration of his hunger strike and the potential risks involved.
The DCP further noted that while the police were executing the High Court's orders and moving Wangchuk to the hospital, some protesters at the site attempted to obstruct the process. This led to a brief period of chaos and commotion at Jantar Mantar. However, the police official stated that the force exercised restraint and managed to complete the entire process safely, while the police have also issued an appeal to the remaining protesters at Jantar Mantar, requesting them to vacate the site peacefully and end their movement as soon as possible to maintain public order.
Current Situation at Safdarjung Hospital
As of Saturday morning, Sonam Wangchuk remains at Safdarjung Hospital under medical supervision. The Delhi Police arrived at Jantar Mantar early in the morning to facilitate his transfer to the medical facility, while wangchuk had been sitting on a fast at the protest site for the last 20 days before this intervention took place. The police have reiterated that their actions were strictly in accordance with the directives issued by the Delhi High Court, aimed at ensuring that the activist receives the required medical attention as his hunger strike entered its 21st day. The situation remains sensitive as the family continues to demand oversight of all medical procedures.