Sonam Wangchuk will end hunger strike if political parties address accountability issues in education in Parliament

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk announced his intention to extend his hunger strike after witnessing the harsh treatment of peaceful protesters marching towards Parliament.

Activist's Demands

In a handwritten note, Wangchuk stated that the hunger strike will continue until the leaders of the Cockroach Janata Party allow him to meet with members of Parliament, or until he is allowed to meet them at Safdarjung Hospital.

He stated: 'Seeing how peacefully protesting youth are being subjected to harsh treatment, I decided to continue my fast until the youth leaders are allowed to meet the parliamentarians in Sansad Bhavan, or until I am allowed to meet them here, in the hospital.'

He also added that he 'hopes the government will hold the Education Minister accountable by then.'

Calls to Authorities

Wangchuk appealed to the Delhi government and police to allow the protesting students to present their grievances before Parliament. He noted: 'I am touched and impressed by how the youth maintain peace despite provocations, and I urge the Government and police force to resolve this issue by simply allowing the students to present their grievances before Parliament today or tomorrow.'

This move came several hours after a CJP delegation met with Union Minister JP Nadda and presented a petition demanding government accountability regarding the NEET-UG exam leak case.

CJP Agenda

According to CJP representative Ashutosh Ranki, the meeting with Nadda was ongoing, and the Union Minister requested time to consult with the government leadership regarding the party's demands. Among the CJP's demands are the immediate release of activist Sonam Wangchuk, the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and compensation of 1 crore rupees to the families of NEET aspirants who committed suicide.

Development of Protests

These events occurred against the backdrop of thousands of people attempting to march to Parliament as part of a Cockroach Janata Party protest action demanding the resignation of the former minister over alleged irregularities in the exam. Outside Parliament, the police used tear gas and soft power after demonstrators allegedly tried to breach barricades and advance toward the Parliament complex. Several protesters were detained.

Security in central Delhi was heightened, and Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed at key locations to prevent any breaches. As a preventive measure, several gates at metro stations in the area were temporarily closed, affecting passengers. According to PTI, during the 'Sansad Chalo' march, at least seven CJP protesters, including Abhijit Dipke, were detained near the Reserve Bank of India, close to Parliament.

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) called on social activist Sonam Vanchuk to end his hunger strike, which entered its nineteenth day, as his health condition deteriorates. The association also expressed regret that the system is not responding to the issues he has raised.

SCBA's Stance on the Hunger Strike

Adopting a resolution in support of the activist, the SCBA stated that his hunger strike has awakened the public conscience, but strongly recommended that he not endanger his life. The association emphasized that the country needs Vanchuk to remain alive, active, engaged, and capable of leading.

Criticism of Systemic Failures

The committee expressed regret that despite Mr. Vanchuk's willingness, characterized by high integrity, to take such a radical step to improve the education system, the institutional conscience did not react with due urgency and sensitivity. Deep concern was noted regarding the period marked by systemic failures affecting millions of young citizens, as well as the alarming erosion of accountability in government institutions.

The Importance of Moral Courage

The SCBA noted that through the current hunger strike, Vanchuk has once again served the national conscience, reminding the country that moral courage is an indispensable element of the national character. It was stated that it is evident: every individual must contribute to strengthening the moral foundation of the nation and upholding the values that ensure India's constitutional democracy.

The association acknowledged that Mr. Vanchuk's hunger strike has stirred the nation and awakened public consciousness. Nevertheless, the Committee concluded that India does not need him to risk his life for a struggling system. The country requires his continuous contribution, full strength, to remain alive, active, engaged, and capable of guiding the process of institutional strengthening and restoring public trust.

Congress Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor published an open letter on Wednesday expressing solidarity with the students protesting in Jaintwar Mantar over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations. Simultaneously, he appealed to climate activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his indefinite hunger strike.

Appeal to Wangchuk

In his letter, Tharoor called on Wangchuk to stop the fast, noting that the activist 'awakened the conscience of the nation.' He wrote: 'Shri Sonam Wangchuk-ji, my sincere appeal: please end your fast. You have awakened the conscience of the nation; this is what a fast is for. India needs your voice on the long road ahead.'

Proposed Solution

According to Tharoor, since Parliament resumed work on Monday, there will be an opportunity to raise the students' issues at the highest level of democracy. He emphasized that the problem must be resolved there, not through starving to death, and asked for his plea to be accepted. Furthermore, he respectfully requested the Government to initiate a dialogue with the young citizens, calling it not a weakness but a state of courage.

Support for Youth and Education System

Addressing the protesters as 'dear young friends,' Tharoor stated that he was writing not as a politician or MP, but as a person deeply concerned about the fate of the young generation of Indians. The Congressman spoke about his own upbringing in a middle-class family, asserting that merit-based exams allowed him to receive higher education and build a career. He believes that a fair examination system remains the only path for millions of young Indians from lower and middle classes.

He added that when this ladder breaks—when materials leak or exams are canceled, destroying trust—the children of the rich and influential do not suffer because they have other opportunities. In his words, the dreams and sacrifices of their families are betrayed.

Assessment of Protests

Supporting the student protest, Tharoor noted that their anger reflects the 'pain of a generation that did everything right, but was still betrayed,' and stressed that the peaceful demonstrations gave voice to the concerns of young Indians. At the same time, he once again strongly urged the Centre to enter into a dialogue with the protesters, reiterating that engaging with young citizens is a sign of state courage.