‘Second freedom movement’: Wangchuk calls for Parliament march on July 20
Activist urges supporters to rally for “freedom from fear” and “freedom from injustice” as he alleges “illegal detention” at Safdarjung Hospital; wife moves HC
Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Saturday (July 18) described the proposed July 20 Parliament march as India’s “second freedom movement”, calling for “freedom from fear” and “freedom from injustice” while urging supporters to make the mobilisation a “big success”.
In a handwritten message shared from Safdarjung Hospital through his wife Gitanjali J Angmo, Wangchuk linked “freedom from injustice” to alleged paper leaks and “freedom from fear” to what he described as his “illegal detention”.
A woman waves a traditional hand held fan over CJP supporters taking rest during a protest demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, at the Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi, early Sunday, July 19. PTI Photo
‘India’s second freedom movement’
The note, shared on X through Wangchuk’s account, read: “20th July. India’s second freedom movement. Freedom from injustice (like paper leaks). Freedom from fear (my illegal detention).”
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It further said, “March to the Parliament. Please make it a big success.” The note was signed off with the words, “Sent through Gitanjali from my illegal detention at Safdarjung.”
The reference to “illegal detention” appears to reiterate Wangchuk’s allegation that he is being kept at Safdarjung Hospital against his wishes after being forcibly taken away from the Jantar Mantar protest site.
Wife moves HC
His wife has said she moved the Delhi High Court seeking permission to shift him from Safdarjung Hospital to a private facility, and will seek an urgent hearing on her plea on Sunday.
Asserting that she has “lost faith” in Safdarjung hospital, Angmo said she wants to move the activist out of Safdarjung Hospital to a private facility of her choice before his health further deteriorates.
In a post on her X handle, Angmo said no family should have to fight the system to choose where their loved one receive medical care and that the public health bulletin released by Safdarjung has “conveniently omitted” the actual number with respect to his potassium level.
‘Illegal detention’
“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,” she stated.
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“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 receive medical care,” it further informed.
CJP supporters rest during a protest demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, at the Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi, early Sunday, July 19. PTI Photo
CJP’s protest
Wangchuk was on Saturday taken forcibly to Safdarjung Hospital by the Delhi Police on the 21st day of his hunger strike. He has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 in support of the CJP-led protest over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and the reported deaths of students linked to the controversy.
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has called for the July 20 Parliament march, demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, reforms in the examination system and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
(With agency inputs)