Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh met activist Sonam Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on Tuesday night, hours after he was shifted there from Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital following a Delhi High Court order.
Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 over alleged examination irregularities and issues linked to the ongoing student protests, was transferred after the court ruled that he had the fundamental right to receive treatment at a hospital of his choice under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution.
The ministers’ visit came a day after Nadda held talks with representatives of the protesters, signalling the Centre’s continued engagement even as the political confrontation over the protests deepened. While the Opposition accused the government of failing to address allegations of police excesses against students, the Centre maintained that it was ready to discuss the issue in Parliament.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police continued investigating multiple cases registered in connection with violence during the “Chalo Sansad” march organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and farmers’ groups.
Court Order Enables Transfer
The Delhi High Court directed authorities to immediately transfer Wangchuk to Medanta Hospital after hearing an appeal filed by his wife, Gitanjali Angmo, who sought permission for treatment at a private hospital.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia observed that allowing Wangchuk to receive treatment at a hospital of his choice was consistent with the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution.
The court also instructed Medanta Hospital to constitute a team of specialist doctors to continuously monitor his condition and administer treatment according to accepted medical protocols, while permitting his wife unrestricted access subject to medical guidelines.
Following the order, Wangchuk was discharged from Safdarjung Hospital at around 6.40 pm and transported under heavy security to Medanta, where he arrived approximately an hour later and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
He is currently under the supervision of internal medicine specialist Dr Sushila Kataria and a multidisciplinary medical team. In its discharge statement, Safdarjung Hospital said Wangchuk’s vital parameters were stable at the time of transfer but noted that pancytopenia a condition involving reduced counts of all blood cell types continued to persist and that his serum potassium level stood at 3.4 mEq/L.
The hospital added that all medical records had been handed over to the Medanta team to ensure continuity of care. Following the transfer, Gurugram Police deployed additional personnel around the hospital as supporters gathered outside.
Political Row Continues
The ministers’ late-night visit marked the latest development in a fast-evolving political and legal saga surrounding Wangchuk’s prolonged hunger strike. Their meeting came just a day after JP Nadda held discussions with representatives of the protesting groups, although no official statement was issued after Tuesday night’s interaction.
Political observers have interpreted the outreach as an attempt by the Centre to keep communication channels open amid growing criticism over the handling of the protests and Wangchuk’s deteriorating health.
The transfer also reflected a shift in the judicial proceedings. Only days earlier, the Delhi High Court had upheld the government’s decision to admit Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital, observing that the move was neither arbitrary nor unlawful.
However, after considering updated medical reports and submissions from doctors representing AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital and Wangchuk’s medical team, the Bench concluded that continuous specialist monitoring was necessary, ultimately allowing his transfer to Medanta.
The broader political tensions continued to escalate on Tuesday as the Congress marched towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence, alleging police excesses against students participating in the demonstrations.
Rahul Gandhi and several Opposition leaders were detained during the protest. While the Opposition demanded accountability, the government reiterated that it was prepared to discuss the matter in Parliament.
At the same time, Delhi Police registered multiple FIRs relating to alleged violence during the “Chalo Sansad” march, including cases involving unlawful assembly, vandalism, assault on police personnel, alleged stone-pelting near Regal Cinema in Connaught Place, unauthorised drone use during the Parliament session and an alleged criminal conspiracy.
The cases have been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Arms Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, with investigations currently underway.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The transfer of Sonam Wangchuk to a hospital of his choice reinforces an important constitutional principle that every individual, irrespective of the political circumstances surrounding their protest, has the right to receive appropriate medical care with dignity. At the same time, the meeting between senior Union ministers and the activist demonstrates that dialogue remains possible even amid sharp political disagreements.
Democracies are strengthened not through confrontation alone but through meaningful conversations that respect both the right to peaceful protest and the responsibility to maintain public order. As investigations into the violence continue, accountability must be established through due process rather than political rhetoric, while concerns raised by students and protesters deserve transparent and timely engagement.
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