Ladakh based climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk has released a handwritten note via his wife, Dr. Gitanjali J. Angmo, from Safdarjung Hospital, where he is currently admitted. In the message, he has described the ongoing campaign against exam malpractices and systemic education failures as "India’s second freedom movement" and urged massive participation in the planned march to Parliament on July 20.
The full text of the handwritten note, shared through Wangchuk’s X account, states: "20th July. India's second freedom movement. Freedom from injustice (like paper leaks). Freedom from Fear (my illegal detention). India’s 2nd FREEDOM MOVEMENT. March to the Parliament. Please make it a big success. Sent through Gitanjali from my illegal detention at Safdarjung."
Wangchuk was forcibly removed by Delhi Police from his 21-day indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on Saturday and shifted to Safdarjung Hospital, what police claimed was as per medical advice and following a court order, citing concerns over his health. He had been protesting paper leaks in competitive exams such as NEET and IIT-JEE, skyrocketing education costs, and the rising number of student suicides. He joined the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) led protest at Jantar Mantar in June.
Dr. Gitanjali J. Angmo has been actively posting updates and has accused Safdarjung Hospital of opacity in handling her husband’s medical information. She claimed hospital authorities told the family that Wangchuk’s potassium level had fallen to 2.9 - terming it alarming and potentially life-threatening - yet the official public bulletin only mentioned “decreasing potassium levels” without disclosing the specific figure.
After repeated requests and a delay of nearly 10–12 hours, the family arranged an independent laboratory test, which reportedly showed a potassium level of 3.5, within normal range. Angmo stated she has “lost faith” in the hospital and alleged conflicting reports. She has also demanded the right to shift him to a private facility of their choice.
“I have lost faith in Safdarjung Government Hospital. The hospital told us Sonam Wanghuk’s potassium had dropped to 2.9, describing it as alarming and life-threatening. Yet, in its public health bulletin, it conveniently omitted the actual number, referring only to ‘decreasing potassium levels’. When after 10 hours and repeated requests, they allowed us to take samples of his blood at 10.30 pm, an independent laboratory test reported 3.5, well within the normal range.
Despite repeated requests, the hospital has refused to discharge him or allow us to shift him to a private hospital of our choice. With around 30 police personnel stationed on our floor and well over 100 across the hospital, our movement is severely restricted. It is not medical care. It is illegal detention. If anything happens to Sonam, the hospital authorities and the government must bear full responsibility. I have therefore moved the High Court and sought an urgent hearing today, praying for permission to shift Sonam before his health deteriorates further. No family should have to fight the system simply to choose where their loved one receives medical care”, Angmo posted on ‘X’. The hospital has rejected these claims, asserting that Wangchuk remains stable under medical observation.
