An Indian court has rejected a petition from the wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk to release him from what she calls 'illegal detention' in a New Delhi hospital, where he was forcibly taken by police after three weeks on hunger strike in solidarity with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest movement.
'Despite repeated requests, the hospital has refused to discharge him or allow us to shift him to a private hospital of our choice,' Gitanjali Angmo said on X on Sunday, adding that she had 'sought an urgent hearing' at the Delhi High Court.
But the judges endorsed the government's decision to hospitalize Wangchuk against his wishes and declined to order his immediate discharge. Another hearing is scheduled for Friday.
Judge Mini Pushkarna said doctors had administered only oral fluids and supplements with Wangchuk's consent, adding: 'It cannot be said that any force is being used against Mr Sonam Wangchuk or that his bodily autonomy is being violated in any manner whatsoever.'
Police seized the 59-year-old Wangchuk on Saturday at Jantar Mantar and took him to the state-run Safdarjung Hospital. Angmo said she had lost faith in the hospital, noting that 'around 30 police personnel stationed on our floor and well over 100 across the hospital' severely restricted their movement.
The hospital said on Sunday that Wangchuk's vitals were stable, although his blood parameters remained 'marginally altered' and he required sustained medical intervention and round-the-clock monitoring. Despite doctors stressing the 'urgent need for treatment,' Wangchuk has refused medical interventions.
'If anything happens to Sonam, the hospital authorities and the government must bear full responsibility,' Angmo said. 'No family should have to fight the system simply to choose where their loved one receives medical care.'
The CJP movement emerged in May after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant likened some unemployed young people to 'cockroaches.' Initially involving satirical online memes, it later drew hundreds of students and activists to Jantar Mantar.
The movement's main demand is the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. India's national examination system has faced intense public criticism over allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
Disillusioned young Indians adopted the 'cockroach' insult as an ironic badge of honor, with their campaign attracting over 21 million followers on Instagram within days.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced an indefinite hunger strike on Saturday after Wangchuk was forcibly hospitalized. India's Parliament session starts Monday, and the CJP plans to march to Parliament in New Delhi to press its demands.
Source: www.aljazeera.com