A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking urgent medical intervention for climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, whose health has reportedly deteriorated due to his ongoing hunger strike.
The PIL, filed by activist-lawyer Rakesh Kumar Saini, seeks directions to the Centre and the Delhi government to immediately shift Wangchuk to a government hospital and provide him with necessary medical treatment, including force-feeding if required, according to a report by Bar and Bench.
The plea states that Wangchuk has lost around 8.5 kg during the hunger strike and warns that if it continues, his life could be at serious risk within the next two days. It adds that his health has deteriorated rapidly and requires immediate medical attention.
According to the petitioner, Wangchuk's death would be a matter of great shame for both the country and the international community. "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 the human body to survive," the petition states, as quoted by Bar and Bench.
Wangchuk, whose hunger strike entered its 18th day on Wednesday, is suffering muscle loss and is in "immense pain" but has refused to end his protest in Jantar Mantar.
The 59-year-old activist joined the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest in Delhi for over the NEET issue and began his hunger strike on June 28.
Even as concerns grow over his health and calls from various corners to end his hunger strike, Wangchuk has refused to pay heed.
Political leaders, including Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, among others, requested the activist to end his fast.
Veteran actor Zeenat Aman appealed to the government to open a dialogue with Wangchuk, saying India should not "sit back and watch one of its greatest minds be sacrificed".
On Tuesday (July 14), actress Swara Bhasker visited the site and met Wangchuk, who continues to protest.
The visit comes amid growing concern for Wangchuk's health. It has also been learnt that he has lost nearly 9 kg since he began the strike. It's been over 18 days since he sat on the strike.
Re-sharing photographs from Jantar Mantar on Instagram, Swara interacted with Wangchuk, who was lying in a tent.
Sharing the photos, Swara wrote,''Thank you for fighting for the future of all our children.''
In another picture shared on her story, Bhaskar wrote,''the indefatigable #SonamWangchuk sir is fighting for your children's future. All my solidarity and gratitude.''
Before Swara, actor Prakash Raj visited the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi as he showed his solidarity with the Wangchuk. Sharing pictures, the actor wrote,''In solidarity with the youngsters of my country at #JantarMantar @Wangchuk66 @Cockroachisback #justasking."
In the picture, the actor was seen interacting with the protestors and Wangchu
Bhasker is one of the actresses who never shy away from speaking her mind. And since the strike began, she has been continuously lending her support, sharing posts on social media.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke on Tuesday said Wangchuk has been losing muscle mass and was in "immense pain", adding the activist has lost 8.5 kg since beginning of his fast.
"He has started losing muscle mass and is in immense pain. Like everyone else, I begged him to end his fast. He calmly replied, 'Don't ask me to end my fast. Ask the government why they won't even have a dialogue,'" Dipke said in a post on X.
