The Delhi High Court has sought responses from the Centre and Delhi government on a plea seeking urgent medical intervention for activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on an 18-day hunger strike over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
The petition also sought permission to force-feed him, citing deteriorating health, reported The Indian Express.
The petition, filed by lawyer Rakesh Kumar Saini, claimed the 59-year-old activist may not survive beyond two days without medical assistance. It urged the court to direct authorities to admit Wangchuk to a government hospital and administer nutrition through force-feeding if necessary.
The plea alleged that the Central government and Delhi government had shown little concern for Mr Wangchuk’s deteriorating health, warning that inaction could amount to abetment of suicide. Wangchuk has reportedly lost about 8.5kg since beginning his fast on June 28.
Mr Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike since after joining protests organised by the Cockroach Janta Party, which defines itself as a “political front of the youth, by the youth, for the youth”.
The hunger strike has also drawn support from several figures in India’s film industry, many of whom urged Mr Wangchuk to end his fast while continuing his campaign.
