The Delhi High Court ordered daily medical monitoring for climate activist and engineer Sonam Wangchuk during his indefinite hunger strike in Delhi [3].
The court's intervention comes as Wangchuk's health deteriorated after nearly three weeks of fasting. The ruling emphasizes the state's obligation to protect the life of a citizen even during a self-imposed protest.
Wangchuk began his hunger strike on June 28, 2024 [1]. He has been protesting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to draw attention to examination irregularities [4]. By the time the court issued its order, Wangchuk had been fasting for 19 days [2].
In its ruling, the Delhi High Court said, "Life of any citizen is precious" [1]. The court said that all medical efforts must be made to protect the activist as the prolonged fast took a toll on his physical condition [2].
The court specifically mandated that health monitoring occur on a daily basis [3]. This requirement ensures that medical professionals can intervene if Wangchuk's vital signs reach critical levels, a necessary precaution given the duration of the strike.
The court further said, "All medical efforts must be made to protect him" [1]. This directive places a legal mandate on health authorities to maintain a constant clinical watch over the engineer while he remains at the protest site [2].
“"Life of any citizen is precious"”
This judicial intervention highlights the tension between an individual's right to protest through self-harm and the state's legal duty to preserve life. By mandating daily clinical monitoring, the Delhi High Court is attempting to mitigate the risk of a fatal outcome while allowing the protest to continue, effectively shifting the hunger strike from a purely political act to a medically managed event.
