Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was taken to hospital from Delhi's Jantar Mantar early on Saturday after completing 20 days on a hunger strike, as police intervened citing concerns over his worsening health.
Police personnel reached the protest venue in the morning and shifted Wangchuk to a hospital. He had been fasting while demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak.
In a statement, the Delhi Police said the decision was taken in compliance with directions issued by the High Court and based on expert medical advice because of Wangchuk's declining health. "Sonam Wangchuk has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care," the police statement said.
According to reports, Wangchuk has been admitted to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital. He is conscious and his vital are stable.
The Delhi Police also urged demonstrators to leave the protest site peacefully.
"While complying with the orders of Hon'ble High Court the protesters tried to create obstruction, in which slight commotion ensued. Police, however, exercised maximum restrain and undertook the exercise safely. We request the protesters at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest."
The action by the police came shortly before a scheduled hearing in the Delhi High Court concerning Wangchuk's deteriorating condition. Two days earlier, the court had instructed the authorities to carry out daily clinical examinations of the activist. Stating that "life of any citizen is precious", the court directed that he receive regular medical monitoring along with any required intervention. The High Court had also told the Centre that "anything and everything should be done to protect Wangchuk's life".
Doctors who examined Wangchuk on Friday reportedly described his condition as an emergency and warned of the possibility of organ failure.
Medical bulletins issued over recent days had repeatedly flagged concerns about his health. An update released two days ago said the 59-year-old activist had lost more than eight kilograms and that his condition was continuing to worsen.
Wangchuk has been observing the fast while pressing for the education minister's resignation over the alleged NEET paper leak.
Several Opposition leaders visited him at the protest site over the past few days to express support for his campaign while urging him to end the hunger strike because of his health. Among those who met him during the last two days were Congress leader Pawan Khera, Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal.
The protesters have announced a march to Parliament on July 20, the opening day of the Monsoon Session, and have appealed to political parties to participate.
The demonstration at Jantar Mantar was launched by the online satirical movement, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is seeking educational reforms in India. Led by its founder Abhijeet Dipke, the group's immediate demand is that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan step down over the NEET paper leak.
The protesters argue that Pradhan should accept moral responsibility for the leak and resign.
In an interview with NDTV, Pradhan had dismissed CJP and its supporters as "the B-team of disruptive elements" who "do not have faith in the country's progress".
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