Wangchuk says fast to continue beyond ‘Sansad Chalo’ march, lists conditions to end it

A doctor, right, examines educationist and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, center, who undertakes an indefinite hunger strike during a Cockroach Janta Party protest demanding the resignation of India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities and repeated paper leaks in New Delhi, India, Thursday, July 16, 2026. (Photo: AP/File)

New Delhi, Jul 20, (PTI) Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Monday said his indefinite hunger strike would continue beyond the proposed “Sansad Chalo” march and would end only if the government accepted accountability for alleged failures in the education system or political leaders assured him that the issue would be raised in Parliament.

In a handwritten note shared on social media, Wangchuk said, “Many of you have asked when I will end my fast. As mentioned earlier to supporters, I will end my fast on 20th July… if the govt takes accountability for the recent failures in the education system, paper leaks, et cetera.”

He added that if no such action was taken, his fast would continue.

“Notwithstanding my health, my fast continues after the Sansad Chalo March, and will be broken only under the following circumstances,” the note said.

Wangchuk lists conditions to end fast

Wangchuk said he would also end his hunger strike “if the leadership of CJP and I reach the doorsteps of Parliament, where honourable MPs and leaders of various parties assure us that they will now take up the issue in Parliament.”

“If my health or other factors do not permit this, then the honourable MPs and leaders of different parties visit this hospital and give the above assurance,” his note read.

The activist also alleged that he was being held under “illegal detention” at Safdarjung Hospital.

“…From the illegal detention at Safdarjung Hospital, where my freedom of movement, speech and all communication are RESTRICTED,” he said.

Wangchuk joined Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke’s protest and began an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on June 28.

The CJP protesters have been demanding accountability in the education sector over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including paper leaks, and have sought the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Delhi Police shifted Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital in the early hours of July 18 after his health deteriorated following 21 days of fasting. While his supporters alleged that he was forcibly removed from the protest site and manhandled, Delhi Police maintained that he was taken to the hospital on medical grounds.

Wife had conveyed his appeal

On Saturday, Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, had said he would end his fast if political leaders met him at the hospital and assured him that they would raise the issue of accountability in the education sector during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

She had also conveyed Wangchuk’s appeal to supporters participating in the “Sansad Chalo” march to maintain peace and ensure that the protest was not misused.

T.K.B. Sen

Journalist, media worker, reporter and analyst