The Delhi High Court has stepped in to ensure the safety of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk as his indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar entered its 19th day, amid growing concerns over his rapidly declining health. Hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking urgent medical intervention, the court directed the Central and Delhi governments to closely monitor Wangchuk’s condition and provide immediate treatment whenever medically required.
The order comes at a time when doctors and supporters have expressed increasing concern about the activist’s physical condition after nearly three weeks without food. Despite appeals from several public figures and growing public attention, Wangchuk has remained firm in his decision to continue the fast until his demands are addressed.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia underscored the importance of safeguarding every citizen’s life, making it clear that the government has a responsibility to ensure Wangchuk receives proper medical care throughout his protest.
“We observe that life of any citizen is precious and all efforts ought to be made by government authorities to save the same,” the bench observed during the hearing.
The court directed that a government medical team should conduct daily clinical examinations of Wangchuk, regularly checking his vital parameters and overall health. It further instructed that if doctors determine any medical intervention is necessary at any stage, the authorities must act without delay to provide appropriate treatment.
During the proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that a team of government doctors was already monitoring Wangchuk’s health on a daily basis. He assured the bench that medical professionals would immediately intervene if his condition worsened or if urgent treatment became necessary.
Taking note of these assurances, the High Court disposed of the PIL while expecting the authorities to continue strict medical supervision of the activist. Although Sonam Wangchuk is globally recognized for his work on sustainable development and environmental conservation in Ladakh, his current protest in the national capital is centered on a different issue.
Wangchuk joined demonstrators at Jantar Mantar on June 28, launching an indefinite hunger strike over the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination. He has demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the paper leak controversy and has also called for financial compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the examination scandal.
Despite his deteriorating health, Wangchuk has repeatedly stated that he has no plans to end the fast. Referring to a planned peaceful march to Parliament on July 20, he recently questioned whether breaking his fast would weaken the message of the protest.
His determination has drawn widespread attention, with politicians, activists, celebrities, and civil society members urging the government to engage in dialogue before his health reaches a critical stage. The High Court’s intervention now places a legal responsibility on the authorities to ensure that Wangchuk’s health is continuously monitored and that timely medical care is provided whenever doctors believe his life is at risk.
As his hunger strike enters another crucial phase, the focus now shifts to whether meaningful discussions can take place before the situation escalates further. While Wangchuk remains unwavering in his demands, the court has made it clear that preserving human life must remain the government’s foremost priority.
