New Delhi, July 15: Renowned environmental and social activist Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite fast entered its 18th day today. Her health condition is very serious. “If she continues her fast like this, it is doubtful that she will survive for more than two more days,” an urgent public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Delhi High Court, expressing concern. The High Court has scheduled an urgent hearing of this petition for tomorrow (Thursday).
In this public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Delhi High Court, concerns have been expressed about the danger to Sonam Wangchuk’s life. She has been fasting without eating for many days, which is severely affecting her organs. Therefore, she should be admitted to a well-equipped hospital immediately. The petitioner has requested that the authorities be ordered to forcibly administer glucose or liquid food to her under the supervision of a doctor, even without her consent, in order to save her life.
59-year-old Sonam Wangchuk has been on an indefinite fast since June 28 to protest against alleged irregularities in the NEET exam and demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. She started this fast by participating in a protest organized by the youth organization ‘Cockroach Janata Party’.
Extreme weight loss:
The petition filed by advocate Rakesh Kumar Saini has mentioned several shocking facts. Sonam Wangchuk has already lost about 8.5 kg due to the fast for the last 18 days, and her body is completely weak. “To save her life, she should be admitted to a government hospital immediately and be forcibly given the nutrients, vitamins and minerals that the human body needs to survive through liquid food,” the petition has requested.
Death should not happen in front of the court:
“It is the democratic right of citizens to peacefully protest for public interest. If they lose their lives in this struggle, it will be a great shame for the entire country and the world. The courts will not allow the government to starve to death in front of its own eyes,” the petitioner argued.
High Court adjourns hearing to tomorrow:
A bench comprising Delhi High Court Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyay and Justice Tejas Kariya took up the hearing of this petition. However, due to the call for adjournment of the High Court Bar Association, no lawyer was present on behalf of the government. Taking this seriously, the bench said, “We are accepting this petition. Since no representative of the Central Government is present, we direct the Registry to immediately deliver a copy of this order to them. The matter will be listed again tomorrow itself and appropriate information will be obtained from the government,” and adjourned the hearing to tomorrow.
Currently, Sonam Wangchuk’s health condition is deteriorating day by day, and there is increasing curiosity about what kind of urgent order the Delhi High Court will issue regarding this petition.