Activist Sonam Wangchuk has said he will end his indefinite hunger strike on July 20 if the Centre accepts responsibility for alleged shortcomings in the education system or if political leaders assure him that the issues will be raised in Parliament.
In a post on X from Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital, where he was admitted after being shifted from the protest site at Jantar Mantar, Wangchuk outlined three conditions under which he would call off his fast. He also described his stay at the hospital as an “illegal detention.”
According to Wangchuk, he will end his fast if the government takes accountability for recent issues in the education system, including examination paper leaks. Alternatively, he said he would end the strike if he and the leadership of the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJP) are allowed to reach Parliament, where Members of Parliament and leaders from various political parties assure them that the matter will be taken up in the House. If his health or other circumstances prevent him from travelling, he said MPs and political leaders should visit him at Safdarjung Hospital and provide the same assurance.
In his post, Wangchuk also alleged that his freedom of movement, speech, and communication had been restricted during his stay at the hospital.
Wangchuk concluded his post by stating that it had been sent “from the illegal detention at Safdarjung Hospital,” alleging that his freedom of movement, speech, and communication had been restricted.
His latest statement came a day after he issued another message from the hospital, describing the proposed July 20 “Chalo Sansad” march to Parliament as India’s “second freedom movement” and urging supporters to ensure the mobilisation’s success.
In that appeal, Wangchuk said the movement sought “freedom from injustice,” referring to the alleged examination paper leaks, and “freedom from fear,” which he linked to what he described as his unlawful detention.
Ahead of the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms’ (CJP) planned “Chalo Sansad” march on Sunday, security was significantly tightened around Jantar Mantar in Delhi. A large contingent of Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel was deployed in the area to maintain law and order.
Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 after joining the CJP’s protest over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations. The agitation has focused on demands for accountability over examination paper leaks, reforms to the recruitment and examination system, and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
On Saturday, Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital after his health deteriorated following several weeks of fasting.
Later, the Delhi High Court declined to intervene in the Centre’s decision to admit him to the hospital, observing that the move was not arbitrary in light of his medical condition and noting that he was receiving continuous medical supervision.