An Indian court has rejected a petition from the wife of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk to release him from what she described as illegal detention in a New Delhi hospital, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported on Sunday. Police forcibly removed the 59-year-old from a protest site on Saturday following his 20-day hunger strike in solidarity with the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party movement.
Gitanjali Angmo, Wangchuk`s wife, sought an urgent hearing at the Delhi High Court to transfer him to a private medical facility of the family`s choice. However, the court endorsed the government`s decision to hospitalise him against his initial wishes, citing his rapidly deteriorating health. Judge Mini Pushkarna stated that medical professionals had only administered oral fluids with Wangchuk`s consent, declaring that his bodily autonomy was not being violated in any manner. Another hearing is scheduled for Friday.
Safdarjung Hospital officials confirmed his vitals were stable but noted his blood parameters remained altered, necessitating sustained medical intervention and round-the-clock monitoring. Despite doctors stressing the urgent need for treatment, Angmo claimed the heavy police presence severely restricted their movement. She noted that around 130 police personnel were stationed across the hospital, holding the authorities fully responsible should his health fail.
Wangchuk had been protesting at Jantar Mantar, an 18th-century observatory site that serves as the capital`s designated demonstration area. He joined hundreds of youthful supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party on June 28. The movement emerged in May after India`s Chief Justice likened some unemployed young activists to cockroaches. Students adopted the insult as an ironic badge of honour, rapidly amassing more than 22 million followers on social media platforms.
The primary focus of their anger is the national examination system. The movement demands the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following widespread allegations of corruption and mismanagement. Last month, more than 2.2 million aspiring doctors were forced to retake their annual medical entrance exam under heavy security after the initial test was voided due to paper leaks on messaging apps. The resulting stress and frustration reportedly led to over a dozen student suicides across the country.
Following Wangchuk`s forced removal, the movement`s founder, Abhijeet Dipke, announced his own indefinite hunger strike. The group is now planning a protest march to Parliament in New Delhi on Monday, coinciding with the start of the monsoon legislative session, to press their demands for systemic reform.
