Sharad Pawar slams the Center for its “irresponsible” handling of Wangchuk’s hunger strike

NCP chief Sharad Pawar. File. | Photo credit: PTI

NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Saturday (July 18, 2026) slammed the Center for its “irresponsible” handling of activist Sonam Wangchuk’s agitation and alleged that the government has remained a bystander rather than addressing the genuine demands of students.

Speaking to reporters in Baramati, Mr Pawar claimed that while the government had moved to hospitalize Mr Wangchuk when the situation became “uncontrollable”, the protest would continue regardless of action against the activist.

Read live updates from the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar here

Mr Wangchuk was taken to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital earlier in the day after his health deteriorated on the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, with the police citing medical advice and directions of the Delhi High Court.

Mr. Wangchuk and three activists from the All India Students’ Association (AISA) have been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 in support of a protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party at Jantar Mantar over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and reported deaths of students linked to the controversy.

“The Center did not handle the situation carefully and it affected the future of several students. The government remained a bystander when other political parties supported him (Mr. Wangchuk). Leaders from Congress, NCP (SP), including Supriya Sule and many others, visited there (Jantar Mantar) and raised a joint demand,” Pawar said.

He said that the demand was genuine and was for the betterment of the students, but none of the leaders from the government, despite being in Delhi, visited the protest site.

“This means that the government is irresponsible. This issue does not end here, as the parliament session is scheduled to start, it will be discussed there as well,” he said, adding that the protest would continue despite the crackdown on Mr. Wangchuk.

The Delhi High Court, which was monitoring the development, ordered that Mr. Wangchuk’s health be regularly assessed and that appropriate medical intervention be provided if necessary.

On Friday (July 17, 2026), doctors said Mr Wangchuk had lost almost 9.5kg since the hunger strike began. However, the activist said he was determined to continue the fast despite his deteriorating condition.

Published – 18 Jul 2026 11:17 IST