New Delhi, July 19, 2026: The Delhi High Court on Saturday declined to grant interim relief to activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, who sought to transfer him from Safdarjung Hospital to a private facility of their choice. The court accepted the Centre’s position that the activist’s hospitalisation was a medical decision necessitated by his prolonged hunger strike, not an arbitrary move.
Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for over 21–22 days at Jantar Mantar as part of protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged NEET-UG paper leaks, was forcibly shifted to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police on Saturday. His wife has expressed “lost faith” in the government hospital, citing delays in medical reporting and a trust deficit.
### Court Observations and Medical Updates
The High Court noted that Wangchuk’s medical condition was “perilous” after nearly three weeks of fasting, with dangerously low potassium levels. The hospital has administered medicines with his consent but has not given IV fluids due to lack of consent. Medical Superintendent Dr. Charu Bamba stated that Wangchuk remains conscious and alert with stable vital parameters (blood pressure, pulse, and saturation), though some lab parameters show minor deviations due to prolonged fasting. He continues to consume water but is refusing other fluids.
Gitanjali Angmo addressed the media outside the hospital, asserting that her husband’s health was stable and that government intervention was unnecessary. “If a man is fasting — and today is his 22nd day — he has fasted 35 days in Ladakh. His health is fine,” she said, adding that they would appeal the court order. She highlighted discrepancies in potassium readings (hospital reported 2.9, an independent test showed 3.5) and alleged heavy police presence at the hospital was affecting his blood pressure.
### Call for ‘Second Freedom Movement’
From the hospital, Wangchuk issued a handwritten message describing the planned July 20 march to Parliament — coinciding with the start of the Monsoon Session — as India’s “second freedom movement.” He called for “freedom from injustice” (linked to examination irregularities) and “freedom from fear,” urging supporters to ensure a massive turnout.
Angmo echoed this, saying numbers at the protest would double in her husband’s absence. “Sonam’s message to everyone is that even in his absence we must go with double the enthusiasm and four times the numbers,” she said, stressing peaceful protests by Gen Z students and vigilance against disruptive elements.
### Wider Protests and Political Reactions
The CJP continued overnight protests at Jantar Mantar, with founder Abhijeet Dipke now demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation alongside Pradhan’s. Fasting students from AISA remained at the site, with protesters blocking police attempts to shift them. Protests were also reported in Bengaluru and other cities.
Several opposition leaders extended support. Congress leaders Nana Patole and Sachin Pilot criticised the government’s “dictatorial” approach and suppression of dissent. AAP MP Sanjay Singh moved a notice in Rajya Sabha to discuss the NEET issue and Wangchuk’s health. Former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik and Raijor Dal’s Akhil Gogoi also backed the students’ demands and called for dialogue.
Manish Sisodia is expected to join the protests, and CJP has appealed to supporters to gather at Jantar Mantar overnight ahead of Monday’s march.
As the Monsoon Session of Parliament begins, the youth-led agitation over the integrity of competitive examinations has gained significant political and public traction, with Wangchuk emerging as a central figure despite his hospitalisation.
The situation remains fluid, with Angmo’s team planning further legal recourse and large-scale mobilisation expected on July 20.