The Delhi High Court has been moved to urgently monitor the health of activist Sonam Wangchuk as his hunger strike at Jantar Mantar continues. The matter is significant because protest fasts can quickly become a matter of Article 21 concern when life and bodily integrity are at risk.
The petition asked for urgent intervention to protect Wangchuk’s health, including action if necessary to save his life. Wangchuk is fasting to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over problems in India’s education system.
Three student supporters from All India Students’ Association (AISA) were in a critical condition during a parallel hunger strike. The reported medical concerns include dehydration risk, low blood sugar, and substantial weight loss.
Why the issue matters for UPSC
The development links protest rights, judicial oversight, public health, and student politics. For mains, it can be used to discuss how courts respond when a political fast becomes a potential threat to life and how democratic dissent should be exercised without causing preventable medical harm.