Prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk has accused the government of breaking a clear promise by prematurely releasing photographs of him ending his 26-day hunger strike. Wangchuk, who concluded his fast on July 24 after protesting issues related to the NEET examination and demanding systemic reforms, stated that the incident has left him disillusioned with political leadership.
Wangchuk began his hunger strike on June 28 at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, aligning with the Abhijeet Dipke-led Cockroach Janta Party's protest on the NEET issue. His health deteriorated, leading to his transfer to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where he met Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh.
Agreement Breached, Wangchuk Claims
According to Wangchuk, a crucial understanding was reached during his late-night meeting with the ministers: no images of him breaking the fast would be released until Opposition leaders and student representatives were also involved in a joint announcement. Wangchuk emphasized that it is customary in Ladakh for government representatives to offer juice or soup to end a protest fast, but he wanted the moment to reflect a united front, not a single political side.
"The ministers had got their own photographers. They pledged to me, they wouldn't release it. They broke the promise," Wangchuk recounted in an interview. He added, "I told them I would like members of other political parties, their leadership and student leaders to be part of it. I wanted it to be a joint gathering."
Wangchuk stated that senior Intelligence Bureau officials were present as witnesses to this agreement. However, within minutes of the understanding, photos of him ending his fast were reportedly aired on television channels, before other parties could be informed or included.
Rejecting 'Midnight Deal' Allegations
The 59-year-old activist firmly rejected allegations of a "midnight deal" with the government, asserting that he only agreed to end his fast on terms that would portray it as a collaborative effort. He also revealed that his wife, Geetanjali Angmo, had explored the possibility of Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi breaking his fast, but this initiative did not receive a positive response.
Wangchuk clarified that his objective extended beyond seeking a minister's resignation; he aimed for broader systemic reforms and accountability within the examination system. He expressed that if he sought personal gain, he would have accepted opportunities for "much bigger deals" earlier in his 26-day fast.
Loss of Trust in Political Leaders
The episode, Wangchuk stated, has significantly shaken his faith in political leaders. "They broke the promise. So I've lost trust in all these leaders," he remarked. Despite the setback, he affirmed his resilience, stating, "Gold is tested through various phases. I take all these things in my stride. No regrets." Wangchuk confirmed his intention to return to his work in education and environmental innovation while continuing to support just causes.