Delhi High Court seeks response from Central, Delhi governments on PIL to stop Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the response of the Central and Delhi governments to the public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking urgent intervention by the government to save the life of activist Sonam Wangchuk who is on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in Delhi demanding Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

The PIL filed by an activist lawyer Rakesh Kumar Saini was mentioned before the bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia.

"A social and human rights activist who is on protest in exercise of his fundamental rights against a highly unpopular and highly criticised government action. He is virtually committing harakiri, the famous Japanese term of taking ones’ own life, in front of the whole nation," Saini said.

The Court noted the urgency in the matter and said that it will hear the petition tomorrow (July 16).

"Nobody is present on behalf of the Union of India. We are entertaining the petition. We will post the matter tomorrow itself and require the Union of India to seek instructions," the Bench remarked.

It then proceeded to direct that copies of the petition and order be served on the law officers of the Central and Delhi governments.

"Having regard to the urgency, list tomorrow. We serve upon the learned Additional Solicitor General and Standing Counsel of NCT," the Court said in its order.

The petitioner has sought directions to the Central and Delhi governments to take Wanghcuk to a hospital and force feed him.

As per the petition, Wangchuk's health has deteriorated rapidly, he has lost 8.5 kg and if he continues with his hunger strike, he could end up losing his life in two days.

If he passes away, it would be a matter of great shame for the country and the world, the plea said.

Wancghuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 when he joined the protests organised by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantra demanding the education minister's resignation over alleged question paper leaks and irregularities in the education system. 

The CJP was born as an online satirical movement that gained traction across social media platforms, particularly among younger users.

The collective was started by Dipke, a resident of Boston, USA. It uses political satire to comment on issues such as unemployment, institutional accountability and media freedom.

The CJP has been protesting since June 20 demanding the resignation of the education minister.

The PIL before the High Court alleged that the government is treating Wangchuk like a hardcore criminal, terrorist or traitor to the nation and is not at all concerned about him.

The least the government can do is provide proper medical attention, even if forcibly, to save his life, the petition said.

As per the plea,

"The simple thing to be done is to take him to a government hospital and force feed him the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals by way of a liquid diet which are necessary for human body to survive."

The petitioner has contended that while people have started alleging that the conscience of the nation is dead, "the petitioner is sure that the conscience of courts is not dead".

Hence, he has prayed for directions to the Union and Delhi governments to force feed Wangchuk to save his life.

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