NEW DELHI: Activist Sonam Wangchuk still had blood sugar levels on the lower side, but his other blood parameters showed improvement following oral rehydration therapy (ORS) and syrup potassium supplementation, Safdarjung Hospital said in its Monday evening health bulletin.Earlier in the day, Wangchuk, who continued his fast for the 23rd day, had sought temporary release from the hospital to join the “Sansad Chalo” march to Parliament, saying he was “feeling very fine” and that his health parameters were “quite normal.”However, he remained admitted at the hospital as doctors maintained he required continued medical care and close clinical monitoring following his prolonged fast.The hospital said Wangchuk’s vital parameters remain stable and that he continues to be under the close supervision of a multidisciplinary team of experts from Safdarjung Hospital and AIIMS.It said continuous monitoring remains essential due to his mild to moderate dehydration, with further treatment to depend on his clinical progress and serial laboratory investigations.In a letter to director and medical superintendent of Safdarjung Hospital, Wangchuk said, “I am feeling very fine today and my health parameters are also showing as quite normal. Hence, I request you to kindly allow me to leave the hospital, even if temporarily, so that I can join the march to Parliament, Sansad Chalo, this morning.”“I shall be most grateful,” he said in the letter dated July 20, which was shared on his X handle along with a post questioning why he must remain in hospital.“Sonam Wangchuk is trying hard to see you all! Just submitted a letter to the hospital as his health is good and they claim he is not in detention. So why the restrictions?” the post said.In the evening, Wangchuk announced he would continue his fast.In a handwritten note, shared on his X account, he said he had decided to continue fasting after witnessing “the brutality against peacefully protesting youth”.He said he would continue his fast until the youths were allowed to meet MPs at Sansad Bhavan or he was allowed to meet them at the hospital.Wangchuk said he was “touched and moved” by the way youths remained peaceful despite what he described as provocations.He appealed to govt and police to allow students to present their grievances before Parliament and expressed confidence that protesters would continue to show patience and tolerance.
