Indian Activist Sonam Wangchuk has alleged that he was prevented from leaving the state-run Safdarjung Hospital for several hours on 21 July, despite a Delhi High Court directive permitting his transfer to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram.
Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike since 28 June in support of the satirical political group Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), was initially taken to Safdarjung by police on the morning of 18 July, citing medical advice and court directions. He was eventually shifted to Medanta Hospital.
In a video released on his YouTube channel on Friday night, the activist was seen arguing with security and police personnel at the hospital.
Wearing a blue patterned shirt and white pants, Wangchuk was heard telling a police officer, “Ask them to arrest me. I am a free citizen,” as he walked through the corridors.
He accused the authorities of holding him for three hours on the 25th day of his hunger strike. “You all are harassing me. If I die of stress, it will be your responsibility,” he stated while moving towards the exit. His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, was also heard accusing the police of behaving rudely.
The footage further showed Wangchuk questioning a person, believed to be a hospital staff member, asking, “Are you a doctor or a butcher?” before lying down on the floor in protest. When informed that the hospital had not received the High Court’s order, he replied, “It is digitally everywhere. Except you, the world knows”.
Speaking later from his bed at Medanta Hospital, Wangchuk claimed the court order was likely issued at 2pm but was withheld until 7pm. “I had to physically struggle and fight, staging a sit in protest and lying on the ground,” he said, suggesting the delay was intentional.
Safdarjung Hospital authorities, however, dismissed the allegations, stating the video was “purportedly recorded” by his aides in a designated no-videography zone. The administration clarified that Wangchuk insisted on leaving based on media reports before the hospital had received the formal written order.
“It is pertinent to note that Wangchuk was handed over to the team of doctors from Medanta Gurugram on the same day at 6pm, immediately after the written order was received by the hospital,” the hospital administration added in a statement.
‘Do I Still Need To Prove Sincerity?’
Despite the end of the fast, the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) has asserted that their struggle remains unchanged. CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said that nothing less than the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan would be acceptable on Friday.
Ranka expressed full support for Wangchuk’s decision to end the hunger strike, noting that the activist’s health had been “deteriorating quite a bit” over the last four to five days.
“He continued his strike till he got some submissions and some negotiations done with the government, which is absolutely great,” Ranka said, adding that there was no contradiction between the end of the fast and the continuation of the broader protest.
In response to the ongoing crisis regarding paper leaks, the Centre has announced several measures, including legal reforms and the approval of fast-track courts to try such cases.
While Ranka acknowledged these steps as “welcome,” he argued that they fail to address the root cause of the issue. The CJP maintains that the fight will continue until comprehensive accountability is established within the education ministry.
