The Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) of Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital has written to President Droupadi Murmu seeking an “independent, impartial, and time-bound inquiry” into the circumstances surrounding the continued hospitalisation of activist Sonam Wangchuk, the security arrangements at Safdarjung Hospital, and the alleged use of force against protesters at Jantar Mantar.

In its letter dated July 21, the association said the developments had raised “important questions relating to patient autonomy, medical ethics, institutional independence, and the functioning of public healthcare institutions.”

Wangchuk, the Ladakh-based education reformer and climate activist, was brought to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police on July 18 after spending more than three weeks on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. He has been protesting in support of students alleging irregularities and paper leaks in the NEET examination and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

According to the hospital, Wangchuk has refused intravenous fluids, oral rehydration solution and medication despite repeated counselling by the treating team and an independent expert from AIIMS.

His wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, has challenged his continued hospitalisation before the Delhi High Court. Justice Mini Pushkarna declined to interfere, observing that the decision to shift him from Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital could not be termed arbitrary.

Angmo subsequently filed an appeal, contending that Wangchuk was being illegally confined to the hospital without being placed under arrest and that neither he nor his family had a decisive say in his medical treatment, in violation of the principle of informed consent.

The RDA clarified that it was not commenting on the medical necessity of Wangchuk’s hospitalisation, saying “the medical condition of Mr Sonam Wangchuk and the necessity of his continued hospitalisation remain matters of independent clinical judgment.”

However, it added that “every individual admitted to a hospital is, first and foremost, entitled to be treated as a patient—with dignity, compassion, and in accordance with established medical ethics and the Constitution of India.”

The association expressed concern over what it described as “extraordinary security arrangements” at Safdarjung Hospital, including restricted access to hospital areas, sealed sections of the facility, deployment of extensive security personnel across multiple floors and restrictions on routine hospital operations.

It questioned whether such arrangements had made the hospital “appear to function as an extension of law enforcement rather than a place of healing.”

The doctors also raised concerns over reports that Wangchuk, despite being a competent patient, had not been allowed to seek Leave Against Medical Advice (LAMA).

“If accurate,” the letter said, such a situation would raise serious concerns regarding informed consent, personal liberty and constitutional rights, adding that hospitals must not be perceived as places of detention unless such restrictions are expressly authorised by law.

Referring to videos circulating publicly, the RDA also expressed concern over the alleged use of lathi charge and tear gas by police against peaceful demonstrators at Jantar Mantar. It said it was particularly concerned by reports that doctors and other healthcare professionals were among those affected and also flagged allegations of intimidation and physical misconduct involving faculty members and students of Lady Hardinge Medical College.

Describing its appeal as “not political”, the association extended its “heartfelt empathy” to Wangchuk’s wife and family and expressed its “unwavering support in their pursuit of transparency, accountability, and due process.”

Doctors’ demands

In its eight-point appeal, the RDA called for an independent, impartial and time-bound inquiry into the events at Safdarjung Hospital and Jantar Mantar.

It sought assurances that the constitutional and ethical rights of competent patients, including the right to seek Leave Against Medical Advice where legally permissible, are protected and that public hospitals remain institutions dedicated solely to healthcare and are not perceived as being used for non-medical purposes.

The association also urged authorities to examine whether the security arrangements at Safdarjung Hospital were proportionate and whether they adversely affected patient care, hospital functioning and access to medical services.

It called for accountability wherever violations of constitutional rights, medical ethics or established legal procedures are found, and sought an independent inquiry into allegations of disproportionate force against peaceful protesters.

The doctors further urged authorities to protect healthcare professionals, faculty members, medical students, resident doctors and other citizens exercising their constitutional rights peacefully from intimidation, violence or misuse of authority.

The letter also appealed to the President to help restore transparency, institutional independence and public confidence in the healthcare system, warning that failure to address the issues could adversely affect the morale of resident doctors, healthcare delivery and industrial harmony across the country.

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