Sonam Wangchuk Vows to Continue Fast Beyond ‘Sansad Chalo’ March, Sets Conditions to End Protest
Activist says he will continue fasting until the Centre accepts responsibility for education-related failures or MPs commit to raising the issue during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
New Delhi, July 20: Social activist Sonam Wangchuk on Monday announced that his indefinite hunger strike will continue even after the proposed “Sansad Chalo” march, stating that he will end the protest only if the government accepts responsibility for recent lapses in the education system or if Members of Parliament formally assure him that the matter will be raised during the Monsoon Session.
In a handwritten statement released through social media, Wangchuk clarified the conditions under which he would call off his fast. He recalled that he had earlier informed supporters that July 20 could mark the end of his hunger strike if the Centre acknowledged shortcomings in the education sector, including allegations of examination paper leaks and other irregularities.
However, with no such commitment forthcoming, the activist declared that his protest would continue despite concerns about his health.
According to Wangchuk, one condition for ending the fast is a public acceptance of accountability by the government for what he described as failures in managing the country’s education system. He argued that repeated incidents of examination controversies have undermined the confidence of students and parents, making it necessary for authorities to take responsibility and initiate corrective measures.
The activist also laid out an alternative path for ending the hunger strike. He said that if he and leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) were able to reach the gates of Parliament during the “Sansad Chalo” march, he would consider ending his fast if Members of Parliament from different political parties assured him that they would actively raise the issue inside Parliament.
Wangchuk further stated that if his medical condition prevented him from participating in the march, political leaders could instead visit him at Safdarjung Hospital and provide the same assurance regarding parliamentary discussion on education reforms and accountability.
In his statement, Wangchuk alleged that he was being held under “illegal detention” at Safdarjung Hospital. He claimed that his freedom of movement, communication and speech had been restricted since being admitted to the medical facility, describing the situation as an infringement of his rights.
His remarks came days after his wife, Gitanjali Angmo, appealed to political leaders to meet Wangchuk at the hospital and assure him that concerns over examination irregularities and accountability in the education sector would be taken up during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament. She also urged supporters participating in the “Sansad Chalo” march to remain peaceful and ensure that the demonstration stayed focused on its stated objectives.
Wangchuk joined the agitation launched by Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke on June 28 at Jantar Mantar, where protesters began demanding greater accountability in the education system. The campaign gained momentum following allegations of irregularities in several competitive examinations, including claims of paper leaks. Protesters have also sought the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the issue.
The activist’s health reportedly deteriorated after more than three weeks of continuous fasting. In the early hours of July 18, Delhi Police shifted him from the protest site to Safdarjung Hospital for medical treatment.
Supporters alleged that Wangchuk was forcibly removed from the demonstration and mishandled during the transfer. Delhi Police, however, rejected those claims, maintaining that the activist was taken to the hospital solely on medical grounds after doctors expressed concern over his health.
The ongoing protest has brought renewed attention to demands for reforms in India’s examination system, with student groups and activists calling for stronger safeguards against paper leaks, improved transparency in recruitment and entrance examinations, and greater accountability from authorities responsible for conducting competitive tests.
As the “Sansad Chalo” march approaches, all eyes remain on whether political parties respond to Wangchuk’s appeal and whether Parliament addresses the concerns raised by protesters regarding the integrity of the country’s education system.
