Sonam Wangchuk urges people to join his hunger strike for a day at Jantar Mantar: ‘If you can’t come here…’ | Today’s news
Ladakh-based activist Sonam Wangchuk called on people across the country to join his hunger strike at Jantar Mantar for a day on June 29.
Wangchuk began his indefinite hunger strike during the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest on Sunday to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities.
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“Namaskar, in support of education and environment, in support of CJP and Ladakh, today is my second day of Anshan on salt and water. Many people have joined; you can also join. If you come here for a day in Anshan, it will be very good,” Wangchuk said in a video message shared by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke.
Wangchuk added that those who could not join the protest in Delhi could observe the hunger strike in their states instead.
“Some people do it for three to five days. It’s very good to show support. If you can’t come here, then in your state, city or village, for one day of Anshan, for education, for improvement, for response from the government, for environment, for air and water, you can do it,” he said.
Wangchuk began his indefinite hunger strike on Sunday along with the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities and environmental issues.
Formerly founder of CJP Abhijeet Deepka said the ongoing protest, which began on June 20 amid a series of NEET paper leaks and other exam controversies, would not remain limited to education-related issues and that the platform would also raise other accountability issues.
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Addressing the protesters, he said that people should not see the protest as limited to one issue. “People assume that it is only about NEET, education… I must tell you that this is just the beginning. We will also come to elections (issues),” he said to cheers from the gathering.
Referring to electoral issues, including the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls, Dipke said the movement would continue to raise concerns beyond the immediate demands of the protest.
“Whether we contest the elections or not, we will work to reform the electoral system. What is happening now – erasure of votes – there will be no need for EVMs,” he said.
Education and environment are my issues: Wangchuk
Explaining his decision to join the agitation, Wangchuk said on Sunday that education has been close to his heart for the past four decades and he could not remain silent when students expressed concerns about the system.
“Education and the environment are my issues, truth and peace are my path, justice is my goal,” said 59-year-old Wangchuk.
The activist said he has been associated with the environmental protection and cultural preservation movement in Ladakh for the past five to six years, adding that accountability is needed for both education and environment issues.
“I’m sitting here with both of these problems,” he said.
“When there is no accountability, even if there is dialogue, we are forced to choose the only possible path in democracy – peaceful protest, and we will do that,” Wangchuk said.
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Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) after the anti-statehood protest in Ladakh turned violent, and was released from Jodhpur jail in March 2026 after nearly six months, when the NSA was lifted by the authorities.
Education and the environment are my issues, truth and peace are my path, justice is my goal.
Before settling into the fast, Wangchuk along with Dipko visited Rajghat and paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi. The protest began with a two-minute silence of the assembly.
