NEW DELHI, JUL 16 (PTI): Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health condition has entered a critical stage due to his prolonged fast and the next phase could be alarming and his organs could get affected, doctors warned on Thursday as appeals came in from several quarters to call off his hunger strike.
Wangchuk, however, remained resolute saying calling off his fast without any response from the government would send a wrong message. Instead, he urged people to strengthen the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) proposed Parliament march on July 20.
He also insisted that he can continue for many more days.
With the matter reaching the Delhi High Court, which was hearing a PIL raising concern over his health, a bench directed authorities for daily monitoring and to extend medical aid if his condition deteriorates.
“We observe that life of any citizen is precious and all medical efforts ought to be made by government authorities to save the same,” the court said.
Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the Centre as well as the Delhi government, submitted that life of every individual was precious and there was no objection to undertaking Wangchuk’s regular medical checkup.
According to the latest medical bulletin issued by Dr Satish Lamba, Wangchuk has lost more than nine kg since beginning his hunger strike on June 28. He now weighs 56.9 kg.
Lamba warned that Wangchuk has entered a critical stage of prolonged fast.
The health update came hours after Wangchuk, in a video message released late on Wednesday night, ruled out ending his fast despite appeals from political leaders and supporters.
The CJP has been protesting at Jantar Mantar demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Wangchuk joined the protest 19 days ago.
Some AISA student leaders are also on indefinite hunger strike in support of Wangchuk. The AISA said the health of its members Neha, Manish and Aameen, who continue to be on fast, has reached “severe stages”.
“Aameen is at risk of a hypovolemic shock due to dehydration, Neha’s RBS levels hover around a dangerous 49 mg/dl and Manish has lost more than 10 per cent of body mass. However, students are determined to remain in solidarity with Sonam Wanghuk until the government faces its crimes,” AISA said in a statement.
Support for the agitation continued to pour in with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah calling out the Centre for not approaching Wangchuk.
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal met the activist at Jantar Mantar and expressed solidarity with his protest.
Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) appealed to Wangchuk to end his fast, saying the country needed him to remain “alive, active and engaged” rather than risk his health and life for a system in distress. SCBA president Vikas Singh also visited Jantar Mantar to meet Wangchuk and handed over a letter, urging him to end his fast.
Wangchuk said students should treat it as “a real lesson in political science and democracy”. He also appealed to people to register for the march through the campaign’s website or missed-call initiative. The CJP said around 1.5 lakh people had so far confirmed their participation in the July 20 Parliament march.
