Sonam Wangchuk: Activist Sets 3 Conditions To End Hunger Strike From Hospital

Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for the last 23 days, has signaled a potential end to his protest. From his room at Safdarjung Hospital, Wangchuk issued a statement outlining three specific conditions under which he would break his fast on July 20. The activist has been protesting against various issues, primarily focusing on the education system and the recent failures associated with it, while while his health remains a concern, his resolve appears firm as he seeks concrete assurances from the government and political representatives regarding the future of the nation's students.

The Three Conditions for Ending the Fast

In a handwritten note shared from the hospital, Sonam Wangchuk detailed the requirements that must be met for him to conclude his 23 day long hunger strike. The first condition is that the government must take full responsibility for the recent failures in the education system, specifically citing the recurring issues of paper leaks that have plagued students across the country. He believes that an admission of accountability is the first step toward reform. The second condition involves the legislative process. Wangchuk stated that if Members of Parliament (MPs) and leaders from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), along with representatives from various other political parties, reach the Parliament and provide a firm assurance that they will raise the issue of education system failures on the floor of the house, he will end his fast. This condition emphasizes the need for political will to address the grievances of the student community.

The third condition is a contingency plan based on his health, while wangchuk mentioned that if he's unable to continue the fast due to deteriorating health or other unforeseen circumstances before the other conditions are met, he would still end it if MPs and leaders from different political parties visit him at Safdarjung Hospital. During this visit, they must provide the same assurance of raising the education and paper leak issues in Parliament. These conditions reflect his desire for a systemic change rather than just a temporary fix.

Allegations of Illegal Detention

While providing the roadmap for ending his protest, Sonam Wangchuk also leveled serious allegations against the authorities. He claimed that he's being kept in illegal detention at Safdarjung Hospital. In his note, he expressed that his freedom of movement, speech, and all forms of communication have been restricted. This claim has added a new layer of tension to the ongoing protest, as supporters worry about his rights and well-being while in medical care. The activist's note concluded with a poignant mention of his restricted freedom within the hospital premises.

The Chalo Sansad March and Growing Protests

The announcement from Wangchuk came at a time when the protest was gaining significant momentum. Thousands of supporters gathered at Jantar Mantar ahead of the Chalo Sansad march organized by the CJP. Abhijit Dipke, the founder of CJP, called for an overnight sit-in protest to show solidarity with Wangchuk and the cause. The activist's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, also spoke to the media, reiterating that her husband would end the hunger strike if political leaders guaranteed that the issue of accountability in education would be discussed in Parliament. The protesters have been vocal about their demands, which include the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. This demand stems from the recent controversies surrounding the NEET paper leaks and the tragic cases of student suicides, which the protesters link to the systemic failures in the current educational framework.

Delhi Police Response and Future Outlook

In response to the planned march, the Delhi Police has taken a strict stance. Through a post on the social media platform X, the police clarified that no permission has been sought or granted for any proposed march to Parliament on July 20 2026. This statement indicates that any attempt to move toward the legislative building will likely face police intervention, while despite the lack of official permission, the supporters of Sonam Wangchuk and the CJP continue to push for their demands, making the upcoming date of July 20 a critical juncture for the movement. The situation remains fluid as the deadline for the conditions approaches.