Sonam Wangchuk denies deal with government, ends fast fearing crackdown
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who ended his 26-day hunger strike early Friday morning, has denied striking any deal with the central government. In a video message released from Medanta Hospital, where he is under observation, Wangchuk said he called off the fast because he feared a crackdown against students and protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar.
Wangchuk, known for his work in Ladakh, ended his strike around 12:30 a.m. on July 24 in the presence of Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh, along with his wife and civil society leaders from Ladakh. Mr. Nadda served him soup to break the fast. However, Wangchuk clarified that he did not press for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s involvement, as the ongoing protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar and youth movements across the country made his participation inevitable.
“Instead, I focused on getting justice for the students and young people against whom FIRs have been registered,” Wangchuk said. “We saw what happened after the Ladakh incident on September 24, 2025: around 80 people were arrested and thrown in jails. For me, the future of these young people is more important. The government wasn’t ready to give a written assurance, but I refused to end my hunger strike without this key point being included in the agreement.”
In the 22-minute video, Wangchuk stated that he had wanted members of the Opposition and the CJP to be present at the negotiation, but “the agencies did not agree.” He also alleged that his movement and visitors at Medanta Hospital have been restricted and that he is considering filing a contempt petition in the Delhi High Court.
Wangchuk, who said he has lost 11 kg and has no muscle mass, added, “After 26 days of hunger strike, do I need to prove my sincerity?” He expressed that his primary concern remains the safety and future of the students and young protesters involved in the movement.
