image source, Getty Images
image caption, Sonam Wangchuk went on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, but was forcibly taken to Safdarjung Hospital by police on July 18.
published 4 hours ago
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Social activist Sonam Wangchuk made public the conditions for ending the fast, saying she would only break it under certain circumstances.
On Monday morning, he also posted a written message on social media site X, claiming to be in illegal detention.
Sonam Wangchuck went on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in Delhi demanding alleged irregularities in the NEET exam and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
But on July 18, Delhi Police forcibly detained Wangchuck and took him to Safdarjung Hospital.
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However, his fast continues there.
Sonam Wangchuk said she will not break her fast until one of her three conditions is met.
On the other hand, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has called for a peaceful march in Parliament on Monday. However, the police did not give permission for this march.
Terms of Sonam Wangchuk
image source, Getty Images
image caption, Sonam Wangchuk during a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, Delhi (file photo)
Social activist Sonam Wangchuck on Monday said she would end her indefinite hunger strike on July 20 if the central government accepted responsibility for recent failures in the education system or MPs assured her that the issue would be raised in Parliament. Monday marks the 23rd day of his hunger strike.
In a handwritten letter from the hospital, Wangchuk mentioned three circumstances under which he would stop fasting. He also claimed that he was held in “illegal detention” in the hospital.
Message from Wangchuk
1. The government takes responsibility for recent failures in the education system, such as cases of leaked application forms…
2. If the Members of Parliament and leaders of the Tharakan Janata Party (CJP) reach Parliament and the political parties assure that they will raise this issue in Parliament, I will terminate my post…
3. If I am unable to continue the fast due to health reasons or other reasons, I will break the fast in this case too, provided that the deputies and leaders of the various parties come to the hospital and give me the same assurance.
At the end of the July 19 letter, he wrote: “My illegal detention at Safdarjung Hospital, where my freedom of movement, expression and all forms of communication is restricted.”
image source, @Wangchuk66
image caption, Handwritten note by Sonam Wangchuck
Wangchuck’s message came as hundreds of supporters gathered at Jantar Mantar ahead of the CJP’s proposed ‘Parliament March’ on Monday.
CJP founder Abhijit Deepke called for the protest to continue throughout the night.
Wangchuck’s wife Gitanjali Angmo said on Sunday that if political leaders pledged to raise the issue of accountability in the education system in Parliament, her husband would end his hunger strike.
The protesters are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over issues such as the recent leak of NEET question papers, alleged irregularities in the education system and student suicides.
What did the court say upon discharge from the hospital?
image source, YEARS
image caption, Sonam Wangchuk’s wife has petitioned the High Court to have her discharged from the hospital.
Earlier, Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali J. Angmo filed a petition in the High Court to have Sonam Wangchuk discharged from the hospital.
The Delhi High Court has said that “every life is valuable.” But it also said that the decision to discharge Sonam Wangchuck from Safdarjung Hospital will be made “based on the opinion of the medical board.”
The Delhi High Court said that there is no need for any interim order in this regard at present.
The High Court has asked for a status report on the case within three days. The next hearing on the petition will be on July 24, meaning Wangchuk will have to remain at Safdarjung Hospital for the next three days.
The petition was filed on behalf of Sonam Wangchuck’s wife Gitanjali J. Angmo at 4am on Sunday and was immediately accepted for hearing in the High Court despite it being a Sunday.
Published by the BBC News Team.
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