NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought responses from the Centre and the Delhi government on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking urgent medical intervention for climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar since June 28.This comes after activist-lawyer Rakesh Kumar Saini moved the Delhi High Court through a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking urgent medical intervention for Wangchuk. The plea urged the court to direct the Centre and the Delhi government to shift the climate activist to a government hospital, arguing that his health had deteriorated significantly and that the State has a constitutional duty to protect life. It also sought directions for medically supervised treatment, including the administration of a liquid diet if necessary, even if carried out against his wishes.“The simple thing to be done is to take him to a government hospital and force feed him the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals by way of a liquid diet which are necessary for the human body to survive,” it said.Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar since June 28 after joining protests organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in NEET and other competitive examinations. Organisers have claimed that Wangchuk has lost around 8.5 kg since beginning the fast, raising concerns over his health. Several Opposition leaders have backed the issues raised by Wangchuk while urging him to end the hunger strike. Author Arundhati Roy, actors Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, and economist Jayati Ghosh have also appealed to him to call off the fast while expressing support for his demands.
