By PressPost
New Delhi |
Environmentalist, innovator, and education reform advocate Sonam Wangchuk has announced that he is prepared to end his 23-day hunger strike if any one of three specific conditions is fulfilled, marking a significant development in the ongoing protests centred around education reforms and the CJP-led movement.
In a handwritten statement dated July 19, issued from Safdarjung Hospital, where he is currently admitted, Wangchuk outlined the conditions under which he would call off his indefinite fast. The statement comes as supporters prepare for the "Chalo Sansad" march in New Delhi on July 20.
Three Conditions to End the Hunger Strike
According to Wangchuk's written statement, he is willing to end his fast if any one of the following conditions is met:
1. Government Accepts Responsibility
The first condition calls on the government to acknowledge responsibility for recent failures in the education system.
According to the statement, this includes accepting accountability for issues such as alleged examination paper leaks and other shortcomings affecting students and aspirants.
"If the government takes responsibility for the recent failures in the education system, including paper leaks and related issues, I can end my hunger strike."
2. Parliament Assures Action on the Issue
The second condition is linked to the CJP's planned march toward Parliament.
Wangchuk stated that if representatives of the CJP leadership are able to reach Parliament and receive assurances from Members of Parliament and leaders of various political parties that the issue will be formally raised inside Parliament, he would also be prepared to end the fast.
The statement emphasizes that the assurance should relate to taking up concerns surrounding the education system and examination reforms during the ongoing parliamentary session.
3. Political Leaders Visit Him at the Hospital
Recognizing his current medical condition, Wangchuk added a third alternative.
If his health or other circumstances prevent further participation, he said Members of Parliament and leaders from different political parties could visit him at Safdarjung Hospital and personally assure him that they would raise the education-related issues in Parliament.
According to the statement, such an assurance would also satisfy the conditions for ending the hunger strike.
Statement Issued from Hospital
The handwritten note carries the date 19 July and includes a message indicating that it was written from Safdarjung Hospital.
In the note, Wangchuk states that he is under what he describes as "illegal detention" at the hospital and claims that his freedom of movement, speech, and communication has been restricted.
These assertions represent Wangchuk's account of his current situation. Authorities have not publicly responded to these specific claims at the time of writing.
Shift in the Protest's Immediate Demands
One notable aspect of the latest statement is what it does not include.
When Wangchuk began his indefinite fast, one of the prominent demands associated with the broader protest was the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
However, in the newly released handwritten statement, no reference is made to seeking the minister's resignation as a condition for ending the hunger strike.
Instead, the focus has shifted toward:
- Government accountability for education-related failures.
- Parliamentary discussion on education reforms.
- Formal political assurances that the issues will be taken up during the Monsoon Session.
The change suggests that Wangchuk's immediate priority is securing institutional and parliamentary engagement on the concerns raised by the movement.
Protest Continues Alongside Parliament Session
The announcement comes on the same day that supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) are gathering in Delhi for the proposed "Chalo Sansad" campaign.
Security has been tightened around Parliament as authorities continue to monitor the situation during the Monsoon Session.
Whether Wangchuk's conditions receive a response from the government or political leaders could influence the direction of both the hunger strike and the broader protest movement in the coming days.
Key Highlights
- Sonam Wangchuk says he is willing to end his 23-day hunger strike if any one of three conditions is fulfilled.
- The conditions include government accountability, parliamentary assurances, or a visit by MPs and political leaders to Safdarjung Hospital.
- His handwritten statement is dated July 19 and was issued from Safdarjung Hospital.
- The latest statement does not mention the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as a condition for ending the fast.
- The development comes as the CJP's "Chalo Sansad" campaign coincides with the opening of Parliament's Monsoon Session.
