Opposition Support Grows as Sonam Wangchuk’s Hunger Strike Continues
Environmentalist and educator Sonam Wangchuk has entered the 20th day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Wangchuk is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, citing widespread irregularities in recent national examinations, including the NEET-2026 paper leak. As the protest enters its third week, the movement has garnered growing support from civil society organizations, activists, and prominent public figures across India.
Expanding Solidarity Across India
Solidarity demonstrations have intensified in several states. In Visakhapatnam, members of the All India Save Education Committee (AISEC) and various civil society groups gathered near the Gandhi statue on Friday. AISEC leaders called on the Union government to initiate a dialogue with Wangchuk and address the distress caused to lakhs of students and their families by the alleged examination failures.
In Madhya Pradesh, activist Amit Bhatnagar is currently on his 16th day of a separate hunger strike in Chhatarpur. Bhatnagar, who is protesting in support of communities affected by the Ken-Betwa river-linking project, expressed his solidarity with Wangchuk. He stated that those fighting for rights are confronting a deeply broken system
and warned that the government holds a responsibility to ensure Wangchuk’s safety, citing the past death of environmentalist G.D. Agarwal during a prolonged fast.
International Attention and Health Concerns
The protest has also drawn international notice. Hindus for Human Rights (HFHR), a US-based advocacy group, organized a solidarity gathering in Washington, DC, at the Gandhi Statue. In an open letter to the Narendra Modi government, the organization expressed deep concern over the state of Wangchuk’s health.
According to the letter, Wangchuk has lost approximately 8.5kg since the start of his fast. Organizers noted that the situation is becoming increasingly critical, reporting that at least three student protesters have required hospitalization, with one case involving treatment for hypovolemic shock.
Sunita Viswanath, executive director of Hindus for Human Rights, stated that the government must engage with the protesters before the situation escalates into a medical emergency. If people must starve before the government will hear them, that silence is itself an injustice,
Viswanath said.
Cultural Figures Speak Out
The protest has received public support from figures within the entertainment industry. Actor Sonakshi Sinha recently posted a video on Instagram expressing admiration for Wangchuk’s stance. In her message, she questioned the lack of official response to the activist’s demands, stating, Nobody cares. No one is opening a dialogue, no one is having a conversation.
Context of the Protests
The hunger strike is rooted in broader frustrations regarding educational governance and the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA). Protesters have highlighted a pattern of examination and recruitment failures that have impacted millions of students. The government’s response to these demonstrations has been a focal point for critics. Activists have referenced previous instances where students and job aspirants seeking accountability reported facing lathi charges, water cannons, and detentions. While the government has not yet met the demands for the Education Minister’s resignation, advocacy groups continue to urge the administration to break its silence and meet with the protesters to address the systemic failures being highlighted at Jantar Mantar.
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