A high-voltage standoff unfolded at Delhi’s state-run Safdarjung Hospital after activist Sonam Wangchuk was recorded in an intense altercation with security personnel and hospital staff. The confrontation occurred on July 21—the 24th day of his hunger strike—over alleged delays in his transfer to a private facility despite a Delhi High Court directive.
The video clip, recorded inside the hospital corridors and released on Wangchuk’s YouTube channel, shows the 59-year-old Ladakhi environmentalist and education reformer challenging officials to arrest him as he attempted to walk out.
The Corridor Confrontation
Wearing a blue patterned shirt and white trousers, Wangchuk is seen in the footage forcefully asserting his freedom of movement as police and hospital security tried to halt his exit.
“Ask them to arrest me. I am a free citizen,” Wangchuk told police officers while striding toward the exit gate. “You are keeping me for three hours on the 25th day of my hunger strike… You all are harassing me. If I die of stress, it will be your responsibility.”
When security staff insisted they were not harassing him, Wangchuk’s wife, Dr. Gitanjali Angmo, intervened, accusing the personnel of rude behavior. As the argument escalated near the exit, Wangchuk confronted a staff member, asking, “Are you a doctor or a butcher?” before sitting down on the hospital floor in protest.
When informed by hospital staff that they had not yet received the official copy of the Delhi High Court order permitting his transfer to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, Wangchuk countered:
“It is digitally everywhere. Except you, the world knows.”
Allegations of Unreasonable Delay
Wangchuk later recorded a video message from his bed at Medanta Hospital, alleging that the court order issued around 2:00 PM on July 21 was deliberately withheld from him until nearly 7:00 PM.
He claimed the authorities attempted to stall his release to prevent him from leaving, forcing him into a physical struggle and a impromptu sit-in inside the hospital.
Safdarjung Hospital Issues Clarification
Following the public release of the video, the administration at Safdarjung Hospital issued a formal statement defending its protocol and noting that the footage was “purportedly recorded” in a designated no-videography zone.
According to the hospital authorities:
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Protocol Requirements: The medical team could not discharge or transfer Wangchuk based solely on media reports or digital claims; they were legally bound to wait for the physical/written order from the Delhi High Court.
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Timely Handover: The written order was officially received by the hospital administration at 6:40 PM on July 21.
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Immediate Compliance: Immediately upon receiving the physical order, Wangchuk was safely handed over to the specialized medical team from Medanta Gurugram at 6:40 PM.
Background of the Fast
Sonam Wangchuk initiated an indefinite hunger strike on June 28 at Jantar Mantar in solidarity with youth-led demonstrations over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in national competitive examinations like NEET-UG.
He was forcibly moved from the protest site to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police on July 18 citing health concerns. Following a legal challenge mounted by his wife under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution, the Delhi High Court granted permission for him to be shifted to Medanta Hospital under continuous medical care, with the Union Government raising no objections.
Wangchuk eventually concluded his 26-day fast late on July 23 after receiving formal written assurances from the government regarding examination system reforms and protection for student protesters.
