Congress MP Tankha key in brokering end to Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike

New Delhi: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his indefinite hunger strike late Thursday night after over three days of negotiations involving a Congress MP, civil society leaders from Ladakh, and the central government. Wangchuk, the face of the ongoing Jantar Mantar protests demanding reforms in the examination system, had been on a fast since July 17.

Government sources said attempts to reach out to Wangchuk began on July 20, when protests turned violent after police used batons and tear gas to disperse a march towards Parliament. Congress MP Vivek Tankha, who had earlier represented Wangchuk in his National Security Act (NSA) case in the Supreme Court, played a pivotal role in opening communication channels between the activist and the government.

“The government was not ready to commit to an assurance on Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, which had been the principal demand of the agitation. But it was also keen to convince Wangchuk to end his fast and find a resolution. Eventually, some agreeable terms were arrived at with help from an Opposition MP,” a government source said, requesting anonymity.

On July 21, Union Ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh met Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon, where he was admitted after his health deteriorated. They assured him that his concerns would be discussed in Parliament and urged him to end his fast. Singh had earlier spoken to Wangchuk’s wife, Geetanjali Angmo.

The following day, a delegation comprising Tankha, Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose, and CPI(M) MP John Brittas met Wangchuk and appealed to him to withdraw his fast. In a letter handed to the activist, they wrote: “The nation, especially its youth, needs your wisdom and guidance far more than your sacrifice… India needs you too… not in suffering, but in service.”

At Tankha’s persuasion, Wangchuk issued an open letter to Nadda requesting an “unequivocal assurance from the government that none of the young protesters will face any punitive or retaliatory legal action.” This marked a significant shift from the earlier demand for the minister’s resignation.

Civil society leaders from Ladakh arrived in Delhi on July 21, but were initially unable to meet Wangchuk. On July 23, they were allowed to meet him in the presence of an Intelligence Bureau official. They too urged him to end his fast, stating that the movement had moved beyond him and he had done his part.

Tankha told The Indian Express: “Wangchuk ji ending his fast is separate from the ongoing movement. The movement of the youth continues. But his health was deteriorating. It was important to save his life. He is an inspiration to the youth.”

Wangchuk had lost over 11 kg during the fast, and his health had become a major concern for those around him. His decision to end the fast came after the government agreed to discuss the issues in Parliament and assured no punitive action against the protesters.