Ladakh-based education reformer and activist Sonam Wangchuk has disclosed that he sought Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi to formally conclude his 26-day hunger strike, which ended on July 24. However, Wangchuk stated that his efforts to involve the Congress leader did not receive a positive response.
Wangchuk, who broke his fast at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram in the presence of Union Ministers and local Leh Ladakh leaders, also addressed recent criticism directed at his wife, Gitanjali. She had faced backlash following remarks perceived as critical of Rahul Gandhi.
Wife's Efforts to Involve Gandhi
Defending Gitanjali, Wangchuk clarified that her comments stemmed from disappointment, not opposition to Gandhi. "Actually, we were pondering on breaking my fast through Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi. Gitanjali actually was working on that. She was not against Rahul ji. She was working hard to see if Rahul Gandhi could break my fast. She didn't get a positive response," Wangchuk explained in an interview.
He added that the lack of engagement from many opposition leaders, with some visiting Jantar Mantar very late, contributed to his wife's frustration when she made her remarks.
No Regrets, Denies Deal with Centre
Despite the political disappointments and online trolling directed at his wife, Wangchuk affirmed he had "no regrets" about undertaking the movement. He emphasized the necessity of such actions due to the prevailing political climate.
Wangchuk also vehemently rejected accusations that he had struck a deal with the Central government. These allegations arose after his NGO's Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) license was canceled and he was briefly arrested. Critics suggested his decision to end the fast was a compromise to protect his NGO's funding.
"I was accused of (striking a deal) when I was released from jail. I could have done the deal then. I need not have sat on 26 days of hunger. I could have made much bigger deals. I could have said make me the education minister. I could have made any deal... if I was to make deals," Wangchuk stated, dismissing the claims.
He asserted that such claims either misunderstood his resolve or were deliberately spread misinformation.
Accountability Over Resignations
When questioned about whether his month-long fast aimed at securing the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Wangchuk clarified his broader objective. He emphasized that accountability was a more significant outcome than any individual's resignation.
"The resignation part was never a very serious thing for me. I wanted to awaken the consciousness of the people in the ruling party, people in the opposition...Resignation is a great beginning of accountability," he concluded.