As climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike entered its 19th day, concerns over his health have brought renewed attention to the legal status of hunger strikes in India. The Delhi High Court recently directed the Centre and the Delhi government to ensure regular health monitoring and provide medical assistance whenever required, highlighting the balance between an individual’s right to protest and the State’s duty to protect life.
Amid fresh demands from sections of the Muslim community to declare the cow as India’s national animal, records of the 1948 Constituent Assembly debates have drawn renewed attention. During discussions on cow slaughter
