Kejriwal to meet Sonam Wangchuk as doctors warn of critical stage in hunger strike
New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal is scheduled to meet activist Sonam Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar at 5 pm on Thursday, as concern grows over the activist's deteriorating health on the 19th day of his indefinite hunger strike.
The meeting comes amid mounting political support for Wangchuk, who has refused to call off his fast despite repeated appeals from leaders and supporters. In a video message released late on Wednesday, he said ending the protest without any response from the government would send the wrong message and instead urged people to strengthen the proposed "Chalo Sansad" march on July 20.
Meanwhile, doctors attending to Wangchuk said he has lost more than nine kilograms since beginning his hunger strike and has entered a critical phase of prolonged fasting.
According to the latest medical bulletin issued by Dr Satish Lamba, Wangchuk's blood sugar was recorded at 80 mg/dL, pulse rate at 72 beats per minute, while his blood pressure stood at 105/61 mmHg in the lying position and 101/65 mmHg while sitting. Doctors said he remained mentally alert and adequately hydrated.
However, Dr Lamba warned that prolonged fasting could soon begin affecting vital organs.
"After glucose reserves are exhausted, the body consumes fat. After that, muscles begin to get consumed. His ketone level had reached 3-plus and has now come down to 2-plus after improved hydration. His uric acid is high, indicating muscle breakdown. The next stage can be alarming, as organs can be impacted," he said.
He urged the government to intervene, saying Wangchuk was "a precious gem" whose health should not be allowed to deteriorate further.
Earlier in the day, the Delhi High Court directed authorities to monitor Wangchuk's health daily and provide medical intervention whenever required, observing that "the life of any citizen is precious". Both the Centre and the Delhi government informed the court that they had no objection to regular medical monitoring.
Despite the health concerns, Wangchuk maintained that his condition was stable enough for him to continue the fast.
"My condition is not such that I will die in two-four days. Many medical tests have been conducted and the results are quite normal for an 18-day fast. My ECG is also normal. I can continue for many more days. There is weakness and my muscles are getting weak, but my heart and core are still fine," he said in his video message.
Support for Wangchuk's agitation has continued to grow. Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait is also expected to visit him later on Thursday, while music composer Vishal Dadlani, actor Sayaji Shinde and author Shobhaa De have appealed to the government to open a dialogue with the activist.
Wangchuk is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the implementation of the National Education Policy and has called on supporters to participate in the Parliament march on July 20.