Activist Sonam Wangchuk Demands Assurance for Protesters to End Hunger Strike

Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday asked for an "unequivocal assurance" from the government that young protesters who participated in the recent movement demanding education reforms will not face any punitive or retaliatory legal action.

In a video message released today, his first since being moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, Wangchuk said he was "still alive" on the 25th day of his hunger strike. He said he had lost around 11 kg over the course of the fast and had begun losing muscle mass. He added that he was shifted from Safdarjung Hospital to the private Gurugram facility overnight.

In the video, Wangchuk saluted the students who took part in the Chalo Sansad march for their conduct, saying they remained peaceful despite being lathi-charged and repeatedly provoked, including attempts he alleged were made to incite stone-pelting among them. He said witnessing the police action against the students was what led him to continue his fast.

In a letter to Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, Wangchuk, who is on an indefinite hunger strike, said he would end his fast only after receiving an assurance from the government on the same.

"If such an assurance is given, I shall end my fast with faith that the Government has heard not only my appeal but also the aspirations of lakhs of young Indians. In the absence of such an assurance, I will be forced to continue my fast indefinitely. I also hope that there will be no further use of excessive police force to repress the movement," Wangchuk said.

Wangchuk thanked the ministers for visiting him at the hospital and appealing to him to end his fast. However, he said he could not withdraw his protest without a commitment that the students involved would not be targeted.

Wangchuk said the protesters' only "offence" was raising their voice for a fair and accountable education system.

The letter follows the "Chalo Sansad" march held on July 20, which Wangchuk described as peaceful despite what he called "atrocities and disproportionate use of force" by the police.

"The Chalo Sansad march on 20 July 2026 remained very peaceful despite the atrocities and disproportionate use of force by the police. The entire nation and the world witnessed their patience and commitment to democratic protest. I sincerely hope that this faith in democratic institutions is not further undermined by any legal cases, harassment or vindictive action against those who participated," he said.

Wangchuk also referred to assurances he said were given by the ministers during their hospital visit, including consideration of compensation for families of students who died by suicide following an examination paper leak and a discussion in Parliament on accountability, including the possibility of the Education Minister's resignation.

He said around 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had written to him urging him to end his fast, with some also visiting him and others expected later.

"They have all urged me to end my fast, reminding me that I still have much work to do in the service of our nation. I agree with them. I want to live. I want to return to my students, to education, and to the work that has defined my life. But I cannot do so at the cost of the very young people for whom this movement began," Wangchuk said.

Wangchuk reiterated that he wanted to end his fast but would do so only after receiving the government's assurance on protesters' safety.

"The future of our democracy depends not on how it treats those who agree with it, but on how it treats its young citizens when they dare to speak with courage, hope and conviction," he said.