PIL filed before Delhi HC to provide medical aid to Sonam Wangchuk, stop his hunger strike by force feeding

A public interest litigation (PIL) petition has been filed before the Delhi High Court to urgently intervene and provide medical aid to activist Sonam Wangchuk who is on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in Delhi demanding Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over alleged question paper leaks and irregularities in the education system. 

The PIL has been filed by an activist lawyer Rakesh Kumar Saini seeking 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.

The PIL 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.

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.

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.