New Delhi [India], July 21 : Climate Activist Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, on Tuesday welcomed the Delhi High Court's decision to shift Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital, alleging that the activist felt "detention and captivity" at the hospital and said he will continue his hunger strike in solidarity with students who were allegedly beaten and tear-gassed during protests.
Speaking to reporters, Angmo said Wangchuk's health parameters were not life-threatening and alleged that his hospitalisation was unnecessary, as his health could have been monitored at Jantar Mantar.
"I thank Delhi High Court for favourably disposing of this matter. In India, a democratic citizen has the right to choose his choice of doctor and hospital and treatment. Here, we had trust deficit because of the way he was brought here. His hospitalisation was not needed, as monitoring of his health could be done at Jantar Mantar. It was like a detention so that he cannot get in contact with people outside. His health parameters are not life-threatening. We are more worried about his health than the government," she said.
Angmo said Wangchuk has decided to continue his fast to express solidarity with students who were allegedly subjected to beatings and tear gas during the protests. "Sonam has decided to continue his fast, showing solidarity with the students who were beaten yesterday," she said.
She further said that several MPs who had visited Safdarjung Hospital were not allowed to meet Wangchuk. "Many MPs who had come to Safdarjung Hospital were not allowed to meet him. Dr Lamba and Dr Dighe, who were treating him for the past 20 days, told the court today that even the doctor giving treatment was not being allowed to meet the patient. We felt detention and captivity in that hospital," Angmo said.
She added that Wangchuk would be shifted to Medanta Hospital after the court's written order was issued. "After lunch, a written order will be given, then we will shift him to Medanta," she said.
Angmo also reiterated that Wangchuk would continue his hunger strike until Parliament listens to the concerns of the students. "Sonam has decided to continue the hunger strike. In solidarity with the children who were subjected to brutal beatings and tear-gassed yesterday, she will persist with the hunger strike until Parliament listens to them," she said.
When asked about the alleged stone-pelting by protesters, Angmo questioned the intent behind the query. "Why are you asking this question? Is it to sensationalise the issue?" she said.
The Delhi High Court proposed shifting Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital, observing that medical experts were unanimous that he required continuous hospital monitoring while the concerns expressed by him in a letter about his stay at the government hospital also needed to be considered.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia made the observation while hearing an appeal filed by Wangchuk's wife, Dr Gitanjali Angmo, challenging a Single Judge's refusal to allow his transfer to a private hospital of his choice.
After examining medical records placed before it and interacting with doctors from AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital and Wangchuk's treating team, the Bench observed that there was a consensus among the medical experts that he should remain under constant medical supervision.