New Delhi, July 25: Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike for 26 days protesting the NEET paper leak and demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, expressed his heartbreak over the criticism he faced after ending his fast. In a video shared on the social media platform X, Wangchuk addressed the questions raised by the public following his decision to break the strike.
In the video, he stated, “Physically, after fighting and lying down in protest, I had to muster the strength to come out. Friends, I am making this video with a sense of sadness and surprise. After being hungry for 26 days, I have lost 11 kilograms, my muscles are gone, and my body organs and mind are nearly damaged. After enduring the biting cold of Ladakh and then fasting on the scorching ground of Delhi, do I need to prove my character to anyone regarding the sanctity of my fast?”
He continued, “If I had to negotiate, why would I need to stay hungry for 26 days? If I were to make a deal, wouldn’t I do it in an air-conditioned room? What was the need to endure the heat of Delhi?” Wangchuk condemned the mindset of those who questioned his commitment, saying, “Shame on a country where such absurd thoughts exist.”
Wangchuk ended his hunger strike late Thursday night after meeting with Union Minister JP Nadda and Minister of State Jitendra Singh. He began his fast on June 28 in support of the Cockroach People’s Party (CJP) movement against the NEET paper leak. Following health complications, he was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital and later transferred to Medanta Hospital on the orders of the Delhi High Court.
In his post on X, Wangchuk noted, “I just ended my hunger strike after 26 days in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dr. Jitendra Singh, along with senior leaders from the Leh-Ladakh Supreme Committee. This decision was made after extensive discussions and considering the potential for violence in the country.”
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.