Sonam Wangchuk’s Wife Alleges Lack of Transparency at Safdarjung Hospital, Says Parliament March Will Go Ahead

New Delhi, Jul 18: Activist Sonam Wangchuk is “absolutely fine”, but Safdarjung Hospital has refused to provide copies of his medical reports despite repeated requests, his wife Gitanjali J. Angmo alleged on Saturday, while asserting that the planned Parliament march will go ahead with his participation if his health permits. Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital from the Jantar Mantar protest site early on Saturday, the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike. Delhi Police said the move was made on expert medical advice and in compliance with directions of the Delhi High Court. Addressing reporters outside the hospital, Angmo said she had instructed the hospital authorities not to administer any treatment to Wangchuk without her consent. She also sought his discharge, citing what she described as a lack of transparency in his medical care. According to Angmo, doctors informed the family that Wangchuk’s potassium level had dropped from 4.3 on Friday to 2.9, describing the condition as life-threatening. However, she alleged that while the reports were shown to the family, copies were not provided despite repeated requests. “Yesterday, doctors from Safdarjung checked him and all his vitals were normal. Today they are saying his potassium has fallen to 2.9, but they are not giving us the reports. This lack of transparency has created trust issues,” she said. She added that the family intends to have Wangchuk examined independently before consenting to any medical treatment. “I have asked them not to administer potassium. We will conduct another test at a different laboratory before giving any medicines. Sonam is absolutely fine and we will soon shift him to a hospital we trust,” she said. In separate letters to the Medical Superintendent of Safdarjung Hospital, Angmo requested that no oral or intravenous medicines or fluids be administered to Wangchuk without her approval and sought copies of all his medical reports. She also requested his discharge so that he could be shifted to a hospital of the family’s choice. Questioning the heavy police deployment at the hospital, Angmo asked why family members were not allowed to carry their mobile phones inside. “If this is only a medical issue, why is there such a heavy police presence? Why are we not allowed to take our phones? It feels like this is Safdarjung prison, not Safdarjung Hospital,” she said. Angmo maintained that Wangchuk’s removal from the protest site would not affect the ongoing agitation. “He will be absolutely fine and participate in the march. The youth have kept the movement alive. Even if Sonam cannot participate, I will represent him and lead the Parliament march on Monday. Removing him by force cannot stop this movement,” she said. Referring to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest, she said Wangchuk had joined the agitation because he believed the demands were genuine and described the movement as an example of peaceful public participation led by young people. She also criticised the handling of the alleged NEET examination irregularities, claiming they reflected a deeper institutional crisis and asserting that citizens must demand better education. Meanwhile, Dr. Satish Lamba, who had been monitoring Wangchuk’s health during his hunger strike, said he had not been allowed to meet the activist after his transfer to Safdarjung Hospital. Wangchuk has been on an indefinite fast since June 28 in support of the CJP-led movement over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and the reported deaths of students linked to the controversy. Protest organisers have stated that the July 20 Parliament march will proceed as scheduled.