Guwahati: Climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday ended his 26-day indefinite hunger strike after meeting Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where he had been admitted after his health deteriorated.
According to reports, the two Union Ministers met Wangchuk after holding discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Wangchuk formally ended his fast in the presence of the Ministers and his wife, Gitanjali Angmo.
Visuals from the hospital showed Wangchuk taking his first sip from a cup with the assistance of Nadda and Singh.
“I’m grateful and happy to break my fast. Thank you,” Wangchuk said while holding the hands of the two Ministers. Referring to his wife, he added: “Gitanjali has always been by my side and my support. I don’t want to thank you but express my feelings.”
Wangchuk had launched his indefinite hunger strike on June 28, demanding education reforms and accountability over alleged examination paper leaks. Before being shifted to Medanta Hospital for medical observation, he had been protesting at Jantar Mantar alongside members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
Announcing his decision in a post on X after ending the fast, Wangchuk said the move followed prolonged negotiations with the Centre and was taken in view of the prevailing situation.
“Just now in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda & Dr. Jitendra Singh and the senior leaders of Apex Body of Leh Ladakh I finally broke my fast after 26 days. Earlier 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had visited or signed letters urging me to break the fast. This was done after a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country,” he wrote.
Wangchuk said he would soon share details of the discussions and the conditions agreed upon.
“I will explain the conditions in detail in a separate video very soon. Meanwhile, I urge you all to stay very vigilant about not allowing violence of any kind anywhere,” he said.
His 26-day hunger strike had drawn support from several Opposition leaders, Members of Parliament and civil society groups amid nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations.