The first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament witnessed heightened political activity as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) launched its 'Chalo Sansad' march demanding education reforms, while activist Sonam Wangchuk's wife challenged his continued treatment at Safdarjung Hospital before the Delhi High Court.
Gitanjali J. Angmo, Wangchuk's wife, filed an appeal against a single-judge order that refused to permit his transfer to a private hospital. The appeal argues that the order effectively keeps Wangchuk confined to the government hospital despite there being "no formal arrest", depriving both him and his family of the right to decide on his medical treatment.
According to the petition, the court order also fails to address the issue of "informed consent" and a patient's right to either accept or refuse medical treatment. On Sunday, Justice Mini Pushkarna had declined to interfere with the government's decision to shift Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital, observing that the move was not arbitrary and that no interim relief was warranted.
Meanwhile, Wangchuk, who remains admitted at Safdarjung Hospital after his health reportedly deteriorated during his indefinite hunger strike, announced that he would continue his fast beyond the proposed 'Sansad Chalo' march.
In a handwritten note shared on social media, Wangchuk said his hunger strike would end only if the Centre accepted responsibility for alleged failures in the education system, including examination paper leaks, or if political leaders assured him that the issue would be taken up in Parliament.
"My indefinite hunger strike will continue until the government accepts accountability for the failures in the education system or Parliament assures action on these issues," Wangchuk said.
He further stated that if his health prevented him from participating in the march, he would accept an assurance from Members of Parliament visiting him at Safdarjung Hospital.
Wangchuk also alleged that he was under "illegal detention", claiming that his freedom of movement, speech and communication had been curtailed while he remained hospitalised.
As the Cockroach Janta Party proceeded with its planned march towards Parliament on Monday, Delhi witnessed unprecedented security arrangements. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) temporarily closed five key Metro stations—Rajiv Chowk, Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat and Seva Teerth—citing security concerns. The stations will remain closed until further instructions.
The CJP has organised the 'Chalo Sansad' march to press for sweeping education reforms and demand the resignation of the Union Education Minister over alleged irregularities in the examination system. Authorities said no permission had been granted for the march.
Despite this, hundreds of supporters of the youth-led movement assembled at Jantar Mantar and attempted to proceed towards Parliament amid heavy police deployment.
The developments have intensified the confrontation between the protesters and the administration, with legal proceedings over Wangchuk's treatment unfolding alongside the political mobilisation in the national capital.
