19 July,2026 10:54 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Speaking to reporters, Gitanjali Angmo said she would represent Sonam Wangchuk at the protest. Pic/PTI
Activist Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, has announced that she will lead Monday's planned march to Parliament on his behalf after the Delhi High Court declined to grant interim relief on her plea seeking his transfer from Safdarjung Hospital to a private medical facility, reported the ANI.
Wangchuk will end his indefinite hunger strike if political leaders visit him at Safdarjung Hospital and assure him that education accountability will be a key issue during the Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning on Monday, Angmo said, as per the PTI.
Addressing supporters at Jantar Mantar, Angmo said Wangchuk had made it clear that he would call off his fast only if there was a firm commitment from political parties to raise the issue of education accountability in Parliament.
She said that without such an assurance, he would continue his indefinite hunger strike.
Speaking to reporters, Angmo said she would represent Sonam Wangchuk at the protest while he continues his indefinite hunger strike from hospital, the news agency reported.
She explained that the family had filed an urgent petition in the hope that Wangchuk could be shifted to a private hospital, allowing him to attend the demonstration. However, she said they anticipated the request would not be granted.
Angmo urged students, parents and supporters taking part in the march to maintain peace and remain vigilant against anyone attempting to disrupt the event.
She appealed to participants not to be provoked by individuals seeking to create disturbances or alter the nature of the protest, stressing the importance of conducting the demonstration peacefully.
According to Angmo, Wangchuk remains committed to continuing the indefinite fast he began earlier. She said medical staff had encouraged him to consume fluids, but he had declined, although he continues to drink water.
The Delhi High Court refused to grant interim relief on Angmo's petition challenging Wangchuk's continued stay at Safdarjung Hospital.
The plea alleged that Wangchuk had been forcibly removed from Jantar Mantar while observing an indefinite hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, and that he was being kept in hospital without his consent.
Justice Mini Pushkarna observed that the material presented before the court did not suggest Wangchuk was being unlawfully confined.
The court also noted that his wife, brother and other family members have unrestricted access to him and have been provided with separate accommodation within the hospital during his stay.
The Delhi High Court has listed the matter for its next hearing on July 24.
(with ANI and PTI inputs)
