The Supreme Court has issued judgments highlighting the state's paternalistic duty to protect the life of individuals on indefinite hunger strikes without infringing their right to dissent.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk is currently engaged in a prolonged hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.The government has remained silent for 19 days despite the Delhi High Court's assertion on July 16 that 'the life of any citizen is precious.

' These judgments underscore the legal obligation of authorities to ensure the well-being of individuals exercising their right to protest, balancing civic rights with state responsibility.The case reflects broader tensions between individual dissent and institutional accountability in India's democratic framework.

While the court's stance aligns with constitutional principles, the lack of governmental response raises questions about the enforcement of judicial mandates.This incident underscores the critical role of judiciary in safeguarding citizens' lives while upholding democratic freedoms.