HighLights
  1. A video showing activist Sonam Wangchuk in a heated exchange with security personnel at Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital has gone viral on social media. 
  2. In the video, Wangchuk can be seen confronting security personnel and alleging harassment during his hunger strike.
  3. Safdarjung Hospital said the incident occurred before its administration received the Delhi High Court’s written order allowing Wangchuk’s transfer.

A video showing climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk in a heated exchange with security personnel at Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital has gone viral on social media. Authorities have now clarified that the incident took place on July 21, when Wangchuk attempted to leave the hospital for Medanta Hospital.

The viral clip is part of a longer video shared by Wangchuk on his social media platforms and YouTube on Friday night, where he questioned whether he needed to “prove his sincerity” even after completing a 26-day hunger strike.

Wangchuk Seen Arguing With Security Personnel

In the video, Wangchuk can be seen confronting security personnel and alleging harassment during his hunger strike.

During the argument, he says, “Ask them to arrest me, ask them to arrest me, arrest me. Why is this [harassing] me for three hours on the 20th day of my hunger?”

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He further alleges mistreatment and says, “You all are harassing me. If I die of stress, it will be your responsibility.”

In another part of the video, Wangchuk is heard demanding that the doors be opened, saying, “Please open, I am going. Arrest me. Why are you forcing... people, this is torture. Now arrest me if you want, you understand? Arrest me, arrest me. You can stop me wherever, let the nation know how.”

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Wangchuk Lies On Hospital Floor After Confrontation

The video also shows Wangchuk lying on the hospital floor after the confrontation escalated.

While supporters recorded the incident, he can be heard saying, “Take pictures, Let's see who snatches your phone.”

The clip also appears to show an attempt to stop someone from recording, with Wangchuk’s team alleging that a phone was being snatched during filming.

His wife, Geetanjali Angmo, is also seen objecting during the exchange. While lying on the floor, Wangchuk refers to the Delhi High Court’s order and says, “It is digitally everywhere. The world knows except you. The world knows.”

He later repeats, “It is everywhere, the world knows, except you people.”

Authorities Explain Why Wangchuk Was Stopped

Officials said the video was recorded on July 21, the day the Delhi High Court informed Wangchuk’s family that he could be shifted to Medanta Hospital.

Explaining the situation, an official said, “He was trying to leave for Medanta Hospital, but was not allowed, as we were waiting for the court orders to come to us first and hence we were stopping him.”

Safdarjung Hospital Issues Statement

Safdarjung Hospital said the incident occurred before its administration received the Delhi High Court’s written order allowing Wangchuk’s transfer.

According to the hospital, Wangchuk wanted to leave based on media reports about the court’s decision, but the formal order had not yet been received.

The hospital said, “The video was reportedly recorded before the hospital administration received the written order of the high court. At that time, Mr Wangchuk insisted on leaving the hospital based on information available in the media.”

The hospital added that Wangchuk was later handed over to the Medanta medical team after receiving the written order.

“It is pertinent to note that Mr Wangchuk was handed over to the team of doctors from Medanta Gurugram on the same day at 6:40 pm, immediately after the written order was received by the hospital,” the statement said.

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Wangchuk Claims He Was Treated ‘Like A Prisoner’

The confrontation video was included in Wangchuk’s YouTube video, where he explained his decision to end his indefinite hunger strike.

Wangchuk said he ended the fast only after receiving a written assurance from the Centre that no legal action would be taken against peaceful protesters.

He alleged that after being shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on July 18, he was treated “like a prisoner”, claiming he was not allowed free movement, visitors, mobile phone access or laptop use.

“It was like being in North Korea,” he said.

Wangchuk also alleged that even after the Delhi High Court allowed his transfer to Medanta Hospital, he was prevented from leaving Safdarjung Hospital for several hours.

Wangchuk Defends Decision To End Hunger Strike

Addressing criticism over not pushing for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation during talks, Wangchuk said his immediate priority was ensuring that peaceful protesters did not face legal action.

Responding to questions over ending the fast in the presence of Union ministers, he said, “If I had to make a deal, would I have remained hungry for 26 days? Could I not have struck a deal sitting in an air-conditioned room instead of fasting in Delhi's heat?”


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