Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday morning after a prolonged hunger strike in New Delhi [1], [2].
Wangchuk's hospitalization marks a critical point in his protest, as his deteriorating health brings national attention to the environmental and political grievances he has been championing through his fast.
Medical officials confirmed that Wangchuk was received and admitted at 7:40 a.m. [1]. The admission occurred on the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar [2]. According to a statement from a Safdarjung Hospital spokesperson, the activist is weak due to prolonged fasting and dehydration [1].
While his vitals are currently stable, hospital staff said he requires continuous observation, monitoring, and treatment to restore his body parameters [1]. The spokesperson said his condition remains under a continuous watch [2].
Wangchuk had been protesting at Jantar Mantar for more than 20 days [2]. Reports on his transfer to the medical facility vary; some sources said he was shifted by Delhi Police, while other reports described the removal as forceful [2], [3].
Despite the medical intervention, the focus remains on the physical toll of the fast. The hospital said that the combination of dehydration and lack of nutrition necessitated immediate clinical care to prevent further health complications [1].
“He is weak due to prolonged fasting and dehydration.”
The hospitalization of Sonam Wangchuk underscores the high physical stakes of hunger strikes as a tool for political and environmental advocacy in India. By pushing his body to the point of clinical instability, Wangchuk has shifted the narrative from his specific policy demands to a broader conversation about the state's response to non-violent protest and the urgency of the climate issues he represents.
