Sonam Wangchuk Seeks Hospital Release to Join Parliament March on Hunger Strike's 21st Day
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, on the 21st day of his hunger strike, has requested Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi to allow him to leave temporarily to participate in a march to Parliament organised by the Cockroach Janata Party. Wangchuk, 59, was admitted to the hospital on Saturday by Delhi Police and has since argued that his health is stable and his freedom of movement is being restricted.
In a handwritten letter to the hospital's medical superintendent, dated July 20, Wangchuk stated: 'I am feeling very fine today and my health parameters are also showing as quite normal. Hence, I request you to kindly allow me to leave the hospital, even if temporarily, so that I can join the march to Parliament — Sansad Chalo — this morning.' The letter was shared on Wangchuk's social media account by his team, noting his efforts to join the protest.
Wangchuk began his hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on June 28 in support of the Cockroach Janata Party's demands, which include accountability for alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The party emerged after a Supreme Court Chief Justice's remark comparing some unemployed youth to 'cockroaches' during an unrelated hearing, which supporters turned into a satirical movement.
Delhi Police stated that the march had not been authorised and that restrictions were necessary to maintain law and order around Parliament during the monsoon session starting Monday. Police reportedly used tear gas and batons on demonstrators who attempted to breach security barricades at the protest site near Jantar Mantar. Several entry gates to Parliament were closed as a precaution.
In a separate note, Wangchuk said his hunger strike would continue beyond the march unless the government addresses education system failures, including paper leaks, or if MPs and political leaders assure him the issue will be raised in Parliament. He also claimed he was under 'illegal detention' at the hospital, alleging restrictions on his movement, speech, and communication.
Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, posted on social media questioning the restrictions, saying: 'Sonam Wangchuk is trying hard to see you all! Just submitted a letter to the hospital, as his health is good, and they claim he is not in detention. So why the restrictions?'
The protest and hunger strike highlight ongoing public anger over repeated leaks in high-stakes entrance exams for medical colleges and government jobs, which have sparked widespread calls for accountability and reforms in the education system.
