New Delhi: A video has gone viral in the internet that shows educationist and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk engaged in a heated confrontation with security personnel at Safdarjung Hospital. The incident took place when he attempted to leave for Medanta Hospital, reported HT.
The Wangchuk shared the video on his social media account on Friday night. In the video, Wangchuk accused of being harassed by the hospital’s security guard. In the clip, he says: “You all are harassing me. If I die of stress, it will be your responsibility.”
“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?,” he is heard saying.
He is further heard demanding that the doors be opened. “You can stop me wherever, let the nation know how,” he said as quoted in the HT report.
As supporters continued recording the incident, he can be heard saying, “Take pictures, Let’s see who snatches your phone.”
Some moments later in the video, it shows that someone had tried to snatch a phone from a member of his team’s hands while they were filming the incident.
Wangchuk reiterates that the court’s order is public knowledge. He said: “It is digitally everywhere. The world knows except you. The world knows.”
Officials confirmed that the viral video was recorded at Safdarjung Hospital on July 21.
“This is from July 21 July, the day when the court informed Sonam’s family that he can be moved to Medanta hospital,” 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,” the official added.
Meanwhile, Safdarjung Hospital said the viral video was recorded before its administration received the Delhi HC’s written order that allowed Sonam Wangchuk’s transfer to Medanta Hospital.
Wangchuk wanted to leave based on media reports about the court’s decision, reported HT. He wanted to leave even before the formal written order had not yet reached the administration.
“The video was reportedly recorded before the hospital administration received the written order of the high court.
At that time, Wangchuk insisted on leaving the hospital based on information available in the media,” PTI reported.
“It is pertinent to note that 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,” it said.
The confrontation video was included in a YouTube video posted by Wangchuk late Friday night, HT reported. In the video, he explained why he decided to end his indefinite hunger strike.
According to Wangchuk, he agreed to call off the fast only after the Centre provided a written assurance that no legal action would be taken against peaceful protesters.
After being shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on July 18, Wangchuk was allegedly treated “like a prisoner”.
In the video, Wangchuk said his immediate priority was ensuring that peaceful protesters would not face legal action.
Responding to those who questioned his decision to end the fast, Wangchuk said they did not understand the circumstances he faced.
“If I had to make a deal, would I have remained hungry for 26 days?” he asked.
