Doctors giving health update of Sonam Wangchuk to MPs sitting on dharna at Medanta Hospital. In the evening, Sonam Wangchuk released a video message to the government on social media.
Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk completed the 26th day of his hunger strike today (23 July), two days after being admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram.
Police prevented 15 opposition MPs from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Samajwadi Party (SP) from meeting him.
The move led to a heated argument between the MPs and police personnel, following which the lawmakers staged a sit-in protest outside the hospital gate. The standoff continued for nearly an hour.
Wangchuk says he is ready to end fast if government gives assurance
Later in the day, Wangchuk released a video message on social media, saying he remained committed to his protest despite completing 25 days of fasting.
He said, “Several MPs had appealed to me to end the hunger strike. I am willing to do so immediately if the government assures me that no action would be taken against the students.”
Centre signals talks as security tightened at Medanta
Responding to the developments, Union Minister J.P. Nadda said, “Wangchuk have sent an open letter to the government, which would be replied to soon. Representatives of the concerned group had also submitted their demands in writing and the Centre is ready for discussions whenever they wish to hold talks.”
Meanwhile, security around Medanta Hospital has been significantly strengthened. Around 600 police personnel have been deployed in three shifts.
Authorities have closed the hospital’s exit gate, restricting entry and exit through a single gate, while visitors are now required to produce a valid appointment and state the purpose of their visit before being allowed inside.
Sonam Wangchuk admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram issued a video message.
Wangchuk outlines key demands in letter to Centre
In his letter to the government, Sonam Wangchuk expressed appreciation for the Centre’s willingness to engage in dialogue but also laid down a set of key demands.
He called for a meaningful discussion in Parliament on the alleged examination paper leak issue, sought adequate compensation for the families of students who died by suicide following the controversy, and demanded that accountability be fixed for those responsible.
The letter also urged the government to consider the resignation of the Union Education Minister.
Activist links end of hunger strike to assurance for protesters
Wangchuk said he was prepared to end his hunger strike only after receiving a clear assurance from the government that no legal action or punitive measures would be taken against those who participated in the peaceful ‘Chalo Sansad’ march on July 20.
He maintained that despite police action, the march remained peaceful and stressed that protesters should not face harassment or criminal cases for exercising their democratic right to protest.
Opposition MPs were not allowed to meet Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital. They were stopped at the gate itself. They sat on dharna right there.
Here’s what the MPs who came to meet Sonam Wangchuk said
- MP Priya Saroj: Samajwadi Party MP Priya Saroj from Machhlishahr, UP said that we will keep sitting until we are allowed to meet. Whether it takes from night to morning, we will only leave after meeting. Many leaders came before us, you let them go. Has medical protocol come for us? Show us this medical protocol too. The police’s attitude towards us was very wrong.
- MP Iqra Hasan: MP Iqra Hasan from Kairana, UP said that the government wants Sonam sir to die. Children should keep getting ruined in this manner. But we will not let this happen. Going on hunger strike in front of them will not work. They are worse than the British. There is absolutely no humanity.
- SP MP Rajiv Rai: SP MP Rajiv Rai from Ghosi, UP said that you heard his (Sonam’s) wife’s statement. She had clearly stated that after receiving our letter, he was supposed to break his fast today. But we were not allowed to meet him nor were we allowed to give the letter. This means that somewhere there is a whiff of conspiracy that the government does not want him to break his fast.
- AAP MP Sanjay Singh: AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said that he had gone to meet Wangchuk. However, the police did not allow him to go. The government does not want Wangchuk to break his fast, they want to kill him. We handed over a letter signed by 55 MPs to Sonam’s wife Gitanjali J. Angmo. In this, Sonam has been appealed to end his fast.
SP leaders breach security, stage brief protest at Medanta
Two Samajwadi Party leaders briefly staged a sit-in protest inside the premises of Medanta Hospital on Wednesday after allegedly slipping past police security.
Holding banners and placards, the two leaders began their protest before police personnel reached the spot.
One of them was identified as Kameshwar aka Kishan Dixit, who had contested the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections from the South Varanasi constituency against BJP candidate Neelkanth Tiwari.
Police rush to hospital, protesters leave before action
After receiving information about the protest, Gurugram Sadar Police immediately deployed multiple teams to the hospital.
However, by the time officers reached the location, both Samajwadi Party leaders had already left the premises with their banners, avoiding detention or further action.
Copy of the letter written by Sonam Wangchuk…
Health bulletin of Wangchuk issued by Medanta Hospital
Sonam Wangchuk was admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, Haryana on the evening of July 21. On Wednesday evening, his health bulletin was issued by the Medanta Hospital management. It stated that Wangchuk has been kept in the ICU.
He is being treated by a multi-disciplinary team of several specialist doctors. Currently, his condition is stable and he is fully conscious.
All his vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, oxygen, etc.) are at normal levels. Whatever treatment is being given to him is being done with his consent.
Congress leaders placed under house arrest in Gurugram
The impact of Sonam Wangchuk’s shift to Gurugram has started showing on local politics as well. Anticipating Congress leaders’ demonstrations in support of Wangchuk or their meeting with him, the police took major action late at night.
More than 10 senior leaders, including Congress city district president Pankaj Dawar, were placed under house arrest at their homes.
The police have issued written notices to all these leaders, giving strict instructions to maintain law and order and not to march or demonstrate towards Medanta Hospital.
