Social Activist Sonam Wangchuk Sets Conditions for Ending Hunger Strike

New Delhi. Social activist Sonam Wangchuk has made public the conditions for ending his hunger strike, stating that he will end his hunger strike only under certain circumstances.

He claimed that he was illegally detained in a written message released on social media X on Monday morning.

Wangchuk was on an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar demanding an end to alleged irregularities in the NEET exam and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Delhi Police forcibly took him to Safdarjung Hospital on July 18. His hunger strike continues even after being taken to the hospital. Monday marked the 23rd day of his hunger strike.

Wangchuk mentioned in a handwritten letter from the hospital that he would break his fast on July 20 if any one of the three conditions was met or if certain circumstances arose.

In the letter, he set the first condition that the government must accept responsibility for recent failures in the education system, such as the leak of question papers. He also stated that he would end his hunger strike if MPs and leaders of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) assured him that they would raise this issue in Parliament. As a third condition, he mentioned that if it is not possible to continue the hunger strike due to health or other reasons, he would break the fast if MPs and leaders from various parties came to the hospital and gave a commitment.

In the letter, dated July 19, Wangchuk alleged that he was illegally detained at Safdarjung Hospital and that his freedom of movement, expression, and communication was restricted.

Meanwhile, the police have not granted permission for the peaceful parliamentary march called by the CJP for Monday. Despite the lack of permission, hundreds of supporters have gathered at Jantar Mantar. CJP founder Abhijit Dipke has appealed to continue the sit-in protest overnight.

Wangchuk's wife, Geetanjali Angmo, also stated that her husband would end his hunger strike if political leaders gave assurances that they would raise the issue of accountability in the education system in Parliament. Protesters are demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister over issues such as the NEET question paper leak, irregularities in the education sector, and student suicides.