'I Am Feeling Very Fine': Sonam Wangchuk Seeks Discharge From Hospital to Join 'Sansad Chalo' March

Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Monday requested authorities at Safdarjung Hospital to discharge him, stating that his health parameters have returned to normal. The Ladakhi educator and reformer seeks to leave the medical facility, even if temporarily, to join the ongoing "Sansad Chalo" protest march toward Parliament, which coincides with the opening day of the Monsoon Session.

Wangchuk Appeals to Hospital Authorities

Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike demanding accountability over recent education system failures and exam irregularities, shared a handwritten note from his official social media handle on Monday morning. Jantar Mantar Protest: Delhi Police Lathi-Charge Protesters Marching Towards Parliament, Traffic Hit (Watch Videos).

"This is to state that I am feeling very fine today and my health parameters are also showing as quite normal," Wangchuk wrote. "Hence, I request you to kindly allow me to leave the hospital, even if temporarily, so that I can join the March to the Parliament — Sansad Chalo — this morning. I shall be most grateful."

The activist's team questioned why restrictions on his movements remained in place if the government maintained he was not under formal police detention.

Forced Hospitalization and Legal Challenges

Wangchuk was forcefully shifted from the Jantar Mantar protest site to Safdarjung Hospital by the Delhi Police on Saturday, July 18, after his hunger strike entered its 21st day. Authorities cited a critical deterioration in his health parameters as the primary reason for medical intervention. Jantar Mantar Protest: Heavy Security Deployed as CJP Plans Parliament March During Monsoon Session (Watch Videos).

'Allow Me to Leave the Hospital'

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? pic.twitter.com/XqeurZUtoP

— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) July 20, 2026

Following his hospitalization, Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, approached the Delhi High Court seeking permission to transfer him to a private medical facility. However, the High Court declined to grant immediate interim relief, observing that the government acted within its administrative powers to preserve life, given that Wangchuk had not voluntarily checked himself into a hospital despite severe dehydration.

Clash Over 'Sansad Chalo' March Permission

The "Sansad Chalo" march, organized by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and led by its founder Abhijeet Dipke, has drawn thousands of students and citizens to central Delhi. Protesters are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following high-profile examination discrepancies, including the NEET-UG paper leak. Tensions escalated near Jantar Mantar on Monday morning as security personnel deployed a mild lathi-charge to disperse crowds trying to break through barricades toward Parliament.

The Delhi Police clarified that no official permission had been sought or granted for the procession. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) remain enforced across the New Delhi district, rendering the march illegal under local law. CJP representatives dispute this, claiming they formally intimated the police regarding their protest itinerary.

Conditions for Ending the Fast

Despite his hospitalization, Wangchuk stated that his hunger strike will continue beyond the day of the march. He has laid down specific terms under which he will break his fast, requiring either the central government to formally accept systemic responsibility for recent paper leaks or elected Members of Parliament to meet him and assure a dedicated legislative debate on education reforms.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 20, 2026 12:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).