Activist Sonam Wangchuk was removed from Jantar Mantar and taken to a hospital early Saturday during his ongoing hunger strike [1].
The incident marks a significant escalation in the state's response to Wangchuk's protest against alleged irregularities. The forced removal and subsequent hospitalization have sparked accusations of government overreach and the suppression of peaceful dissent.
Wangchuk was transferred to VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi on the 21st day of his fast [1], [3]. His wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, said the government's decision to hospitalize him was unnecessary [1], [2]. Angmo said the family intends to move him to a trusted medical facility once discharge formalities are completed [2].
The removal coincided with reports of volatility at the protest site. Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Collective Against Police Brutality (CJP), said goons tried to attack Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar on Friday night [2]. Other reports indicated chaos at the scene, including an incident where a woman threw an ink-like liquid at Dipke [3].
Political reactions were immediate. A spokesperson for the Congress party said the party condemns the police action against Wangchuk, stating that it undermines democracy and the right to peaceful protest [3].
While government officials have not provided a detailed justification for the hospital transfer, the activist's family suggests the action reflects a loss of faith in state institutions [2]. The transition from a voluntary fast to a forced medical intervention has shifted the focus of the campaign toward the legality of the removal and the health of the activist [1], [2].
“"There was no need to bring him to hospital."”
The forced hospitalization of Sonam Wangchuk transforms a personal act of protest into a broader legal and political conflict over civil liberties in India. By removing the activist from a public square and placing him in a state-run hospital, the government has effectively ended the public visibility of the hunger strike, while simultaneously providing a catalyst for opposition parties to frame the action as an assault on democratic rights.
