Activist and education reform advocate Sonam Wangchuk has said he is willing to end his hunger strike today, but only if three conditions are met. Wangchuk, who has been fasting for more than 20 days, shared his demands in a handwritten letter from Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital, where he is currently admitted.
In the letter, Wangchuk claimed he was under “illegal detention” and wrote that his “freedom of movement, speech, and all communication are restricted at the illegal detention”.
WHEN WILL I END THE FAST….!
— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) July 20, 2026
Not withstanding my health my fast continues till after the Sansad Chalo March, and will be broken only under the following circumstances… pic.twitter.com/kaOGx2Nk4T
Three demands before ending fast
The first condition laid down by Wangchuk is that the government should accept responsibility for what he described as failures in the country’s education system, particularly the recent NEET question paper leak controversy.
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His second demand is for political leaders to publicly assure him that the issue of the alleged paper leak will be raised in Parliament.
For his third condition, Wangchuk said senior political leaders should personally visit him at Safdarjung Hospital and reaffirm the first two assurances if his health or other circumstances prevent him from participating in the planned Parliament march today.
Hunger strike entered fourth week
The educator has long campaigned for greater transparency and accountability in the education sector. On June 28, he joined the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak issue. It was there that he began his indefinite hunger strike.
On July 18, the 21st day of the fast, Delhi Police shifted Wangchuk from the protest site to Safdarjung Hospital. The move came a day after doctors reportedly warned that his condition had become critical, with concerns over possible organ failure. The Delhi High Court had also directed the authorities to take all necessary steps to protect his life.
High Court declines interim relief
Meanwhile, Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, approached the Delhi High Court seeking permission to move him to a private hospital.
The court declined to grant interim relief, observing that the authorities were “well within its rights” to shift him to Safdarjung Hospital after he did not admit himself despite his deteriorating health.
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Justice Mini Pushkarna said, “Since doctors of the hospital are closely monitoring him and gave him oral medicine with his consent, it cannot be said that force is being used or his autonomy is being violated…No interim orders are required to be passed at this stage.”
According to senior advocate Vivek Tankha, Angmo is expected to challenge the order before a division bench and seek an urgent hearing later today.
FAQs:
What are Sonam Wangchuk’s three conditions to end his hunger strike?
He wants government accountability, Parliament discussion on NEET leaks, and assurances from political leaders.
Why is Sonam Wangchuk in Safdarjung Hospital?
He was shifted there by Delhi Police after his health deteriorated during his hunger strike.
