Wangchuk opposed hospitalisation a day before; CJP shares video

NEW DELHI: A video shared by the Cockroach Janta Party ( CJP) on Saturday showed activist Sonam Wangchuk opposing efforts to shift him to hospital. This comes hours after Delhi Police moved him to Safdarjung Hospital, citing his deteriorating health and a Delhi high court order. Sharing the video on X, the CJP claimed it showed Wangchuk's reaction when government doctors had tried to hospitalise him a day earlier. The party also alleged that the activist had been "forcefully abducted" without his or his family's consent. In the video, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke is heard asking Wangchuk, "Sir, do you want to go to hospital?" Responding, Wangchuk says, "They don't understand; that is not a disease or disorder. That is a self-chosen fast. And a person on fast is not the same as somebody who's ill." Dipke is then seen requesting the doctors not to "get into political things", saying he understood there may be pressure on them but asking them not to become part of a political issue. The video also features Dr Satish Lamba of the Delhi Medical Association, who says the Delhi high court had ordered that Wangchuk's health be "monitored" and not that he be "hospitalised". Earlier in the day, Delhi Police shifted Wangchuk from the Jantar Mantar protest site to Safdarjung Hospital after doctors reported that his health had deteriorated during his indefinite hunger strike. In a statement, the deputy commissioner of police (New Delhi) said Wangchuk was shifted for "essential medical care" following expert medical advice and in compliance with the Delhi high court's orders. Police said protesters attempted to obstruct the exercise, leading to a "slight commotion", but maintained that maximum restraint was exercised. Officials also said no one was detained and no lathi charge was carried out. Separately, Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, said no treatment should be administered to him without her consent or that of his doctors, and questioned the decision to hospitalise him. Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 in support of the CJP-led protest over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and the reported deaths of students linked to the controversy. The Delhi high court directed that his health be regularly monitored and that appropriate medical intervention be provided if required.