Sonam Wangchuk Discharged From Medanta Hospital, Visits Rajghat After Ending 26-Day Fast

Days after finishing his 26-day hunger strike over the NEET paper leak incident and student protests, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk announced on Monday that he had been discharged from Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. He said that before heading back to the mountains, he would visit Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

Wangchuk visited Rajghat on June 27, before beginning his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in support of students affected by the paper leak issue. Hence, the visit holds symbolic significance.

“AND FINALLY…”: Wangchuk

In a post on X, Wangchuk wrote, 

“AND FINALLY…. I’m being discharged from the hospital. I will be going to Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and then back to the mountains. Thank you all, and a BIG THANK YOU to the wonderful team of doctors and staff at Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon.”

After being transferred from Safdarjung Hospital following a Delhi High Court ruling, Wangchuk was admitted to Medanta Hospital. The court allowed his transfer to a hospital of his choice for further care and observation.

Following talks with government officials and assurances regarding measures related to examination reforms and action against paper leaks, the activist ended his 26-day indefinite fast at Medanta Hospital.

Wangchuk went on an indefinite hunger strike for 26 days after joining the protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on June 28. The demonstration eventually became part of a larger campaign spearheaded by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).

Gandhi Tribute Marks Fast Conclusion

Wangchuk was accompanied by his wife, Gitanjali Angmo. The couple offered floral tributes at the memorial dedicated to the Father of the Nation. After presenting flower tributes at Rajghat, Wangchuk told reporters that he decided to visit the memorial as soon as his 26-day fast and protest action came to an end in order to show his appreciation to Mahatma Gandhi.

“Following the conclusion of this 26-day fast and movement, I wanted to come to Rajghat first to remember Mahatma Gandhi, to express my gratitude to him and to tell the country that the path he showed remains just as relevant and appropriate today as it was a hundred years ago," he said.