Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 18: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike entered its 21st day on Saturday amid rising tensions at Delhi's Jantar Mantar after Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Abhijeet Dipke alleged that police forcibly removed him from the protest site and cracked down on demonstrators.
Delhi Police, however, said Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital in compliance with directions issued by the Delhi High Court and on the advice of medical experts owing to his deteriorating health.
A day earlier, Wangchuk had said he had lost nearly 20 per cent of his body weight but remained determined to continue his fast, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination.
In a video message released at the end of the 20th day of his fast, Wangchuk appealed to people across the country to participate in the CJP's proposed "Chalo Sansad" march on July 20, saying the movement's strength would depend on public participation.
Speaking about his health, the activist acknowledged the physical impact of the prolonged fast but asserted that he would not end the protest.
"Yes, I am still alive. Twenty per cent of my body is gone. After fats, muscles are gone. After that, organs will go. Finally, the brain. The time has not come yet," Wangchuk said.
Wangchuk joined the agitation at Jantar Mantar on June 28 and has been on an indefinite hunger strike since then. The protest itself began on June 20 and entered its 28th day on Saturday.
Meanwhile, concerns have also mounted over the health of three All India Students' Association (AISA) activists participating in the indefinite hunger strike.
According to AISA, activists Neha, Aameen and Manish completed 20 days of fasting on Friday, with doctors recommending immediate hospitalisation for Neha after her blood sugar level dropped to a critically low level.
The student organisation said Aameen had developed dangerously high uric acid levels and lost nearly 14 per cent of his body weight, while Manish had lost more than 10 kg and was reportedly experiencing episodes of near-unconsciousness, requiring continuous assistance even for routine activities.
The deteriorating health of Wangchuk and the other fasting protesters has drawn support from several opposition leaders.
Congress leader Pawan Khera, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule and other opposition leaders visited the protest site on Friday and urged the Centre to initiate talks with the agitators.
A day earlier, AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav and farmer leader Rakesh Tikait also met Wangchuk and extended their support to the ongoing agitation.