Published: July 16, 2026 | CT News Desk
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the Central Government and the Delhi Government to ensure daily medical monitoring of education reformer and environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. The court also instructed the authorities to provide appropriate medical intervention, if required, based on the advice of government doctors to safeguard his health.
The directions came while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that raised concerns about Wangchuk's health following his prolonged fast. The petition urged the court to ensure regular medical supervision and timely treatment, citing the potential health risks associated with an extended hunger strike.
Government Assures Court of Daily Medical Examination
The matter was heard by a Bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia. During the proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and the Delhi Government, assured the court that Wangchuk's condition would be monitored every day by government doctors and public health experts.
Taking note of the assurance, the High Court observed that "the life of any citizen is precious" and emphasised that every possible effort should be made to protect Wangchuk's health while respecting his legal rights.
The Bench directed that Wangchuk undergo a daily clinical examination and that doctors provide any medical treatment considered necessary based on professional medical assessment.
Health Concerns During the Hunger Strike
The PIL highlighted growing concerns regarding Wangchuk's physical condition after several days of fasting. According to medical updates presented during the proceedings, he has reportedly lost more than nine kilograms since beginning the hunger strike.
Doctors monitoring his condition have indicated that while his vital signs remained stable and he continued to be mentally alert at the time of the hearing, prolonged fasting could increase the risk of dehydration, muscle loss, nutritional deficiencies, and other health complications if it continues for an extended period.
Medical professionals generally advise that individuals participating in prolonged fasts should remain under continuous medical observation to identify any signs of deterioration at an early stage.
Court Balances Right to Protest and Right to Life
During the hearing, the High Court sought to balance two important constitutional considerations: an individual's democratic right to engage in peaceful protest and the State's responsibility to protect life and public health.
The court's order does not interfere with the ongoing protest or direct Wangchuk to end his hunger strike. Instead, it focuses on ensuring that adequate medical care remains available throughout the protest and that timely intervention can be provided if doctors consider it medically necessary.
Legal observers noted that courts have, in several instances, emphasised the importance of protecting life while respecting the constitutional rights of citizens to express their views through peaceful and lawful means.
Protest Continues
Despite increasing concern over his health, Wangchuk has maintained that he intends to continue the hunger strike until there is a meaningful response to the concerns raised by the movement. He has stated on multiple occasions that the campaign seeks accountability and reforms in matters affecting students and the education system and should not be viewed through a political lens.
Supporters of the protest continue to advocate for greater transparency, institutional accountability, and reforms relating to competitive examinations and educational governance. They have also appealed for constructive dialogue between the concerned stakeholders to address the issues being raised.
Growing Public Support
The protest has attracted support from several public figures, educationists, environmental activists, legal professionals, writers, actors, and civil society organisations. Many have expressed concern regarding Wangchuk's health while also acknowledging the importance of maintaining open dialogue on issues relating to education reforms.
In recent days, prominent personalities from different fields have appealed for peaceful discussions and urged all stakeholders to work towards a solution through democratic means.
The movement has also generated significant discussion on social media, with students and citizens expressing diverse opinions on examination reforms, institutional transparency, and public accountability.
What Happens Next?
Following the High Court's directions, government doctors are expected to conduct daily medical examinations and monitor Wangchuk's health throughout the continuation of the hunger strike. Any treatment or medical intervention, if required, will be provided according to professional medical advice.
At the time of publication, the hunger strike continued, and no official announcement had been made regarding any breakthrough in discussions between the concerned parties.
The coming days are expected to remain important as attention continues to focus on Wangchuk's health, the implementation of the High Court's directions, and any future developments relating to the issues raised during the protest.
Disclaimer: This report is based on court proceedings and publicly available information available at the time of publication. It is intended solely for informational and journalistic purposes and does not endorse the views of any individual, organisation, or political party. Readers are encouraged to refer to official court records and statements from the concerned authorities for the latest updates.
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