Indian activist on hunger strike for 20 days forcibly taken to hospital

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Indian activist on hunger strike for 20 days forcibly taken to hospital

BBC World · 3 hours ago

Sonam Wangchuk, a respected activist and educationist, undertook a prolonged fast spanning three weeks in Delhi to support an online satirical collective protesting examination irregularities in India's education system. The movement, which has built substantial social media backing, calls for educational reforms and the resignation of the prime minister. After sustaining himself solely on salt and water, Wangchuk's health deteriorated significantly, resulting in considerable weight loss and physical distress.

On Saturday morning, police and paramilitary forces removed Wangchuk from the demonstration site and transported him to hospital over his family's objections. Authorities cited a prior court order requiring health monitoring and medical attention as justification for the intervention. Rather than halting, the movement demonstrated resilience; the collective's leader immediately commenced an indefinite fast in his place, and participants confirmed their commitment to proceed with their planned march toward parliament.

  • Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly removed from a 20-day hunger strike and hospitalised by authorities citing medical concerns and a court directive
  • He had been protesting with an online educational reform movement demanding exam irregularities be addressed and the prime minister resign
  • The movement's founder began his own indefinite fast; activists reaffirmed plans to march to parliament despite the activist's removal

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