The wife of Indian education reformer Sonam Wangchuk has accused the government of illegally detaining her husband after he was admitted to a government hospital against his wishes following a prolonged hunger strike.
Wangchuk, 59, was taken to hospital on Saturday after police cited a court order and concerns over his deteriorating health. He has been on a hunger strike since June 28, demanding the resignation of India’s education minister over alleged irregularities in medical entrance examinations.
His protest was triggered by the leak of examination papers that forced more than 2.2 million students to retake a national medical entrance test.
Wife calls it ‘illegal detention’
Speaking on Sunday, Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, said she had lost confidence in the government hospital after authorities allegedly refused her request to transfer him to a private medical facility.
She claimed police had imposed heavy security around the hospital, restricting the family’s movement.
“With around 30 police personnel stationed on our floor and well over 100 across the hospital, our movement is severely restricted,” she said.
Angmo argued that the situation amounted to “illegal detention” rather than medical care and said she had approached the Delhi High Court seeking permission to move her husband to another hospital.
Hospital says treatment was refused
The hospital, however, said Wangchuk has not consented to the medical treatment recommended by doctors.
In a statement, hospital authorities said that despite repeated counselling by the treating team and independent medical experts, Wangchuk had declined intravenous fluids, oral rehydration solutions and all prescribed medications.
Indian Activist Sonam Wangchuk Hospitalised After 20-Day Hunger Strike Amid Exam Reform Protest
The hospital maintained that doctors continue to monitor his condition closely.
Support grows ahead of parliament session
Wangchuk’s hospitalisation has intensified political attention ahead of the start of India’s parliamentary session.
Several opposition parties have expressed support for the activist and the students participating in the protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
Political organisations and farmers’ groups are also expected to join demonstrations during the parliamentary session to press for greater accountability over the examination controversy.
Meanwhile, Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement, announced an indefinite hunger strike after Wangchuk was taken to hospital.
Exam controversy fuels nationwide debate
The protests stem from allegations of irregularities in India’s competitive examination system.
Last month, approximately 2.2 million aspiring medical students were required to retake a national entrance examination after the original test was cancelled because of a paper leak that sparked widespread public outrage.
The controversy has renewed calls for greater transparency and accountability in India’s education system, with Wangchuk’s hunger strike becoming a focal point of the growing protest movement.
