Activist Sonam Wangchuk has rejected allegations that he entered into a political deal with the Centre after ending his 26-day hunger strike in support of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) nationwide protest against examination paper leaks.
In a video recorded from his hospital bed and shared on Instagram, Wangchuk said he should not have to “prove” the sincerity of his fast after enduring nearly a month without food. Responding to criticism over breaking his fast in the presence of Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, he dismissed suggestions of any backdoor bargain, saying no one would starve for 26 days merely to negotiate with the government.
Wangchuk revealed that he lost around 11 kilograms and came close to suffering irreversible damage to his organs and brain. While he said the decision to end the fast followed negotiations with the Centre and concerns over possible violence, CJP leaders have clarified that the larger protest continues, maintaining their demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation despite the Centre announcing legal reforms, fast-track courts for paper leak cases and further dialogue on examination reforms.
Video Addresses Criticism
A day after ending his fast at Gurugram’s Medanta Hospital, Sonam Wangchuk released a 22-minute video addressing supporters and critics who questioned why he ended the hunger strike in the presence of senior Union ministers.
Opening the message with what he described as “sadness, surprise, grief and anger”, the activist said he had received numerous calls and messages pointing to social media posts alleging that he had struck a deal with the government.
Rejecting the accusations, Wangchuk asked, “After 26 days of hunger, do I need to prove my sincerity?” and later added, “Will I now have to get a character certificate from anyone regarding how pure my fast was?” He argued that anyone seeking political compromise would not spend nearly a month fasting in Delhi’s heat, saying such negotiations could have been conducted comfortably elsewhere.
The activist also spoke about the severe impact on his health, stating that prolonged starvation had caused significant muscle loss and pushed his body close to irreversible organ and brain damage. According to Wangchuk, he lost approximately 11 kilograms during the protest and had little strength left during its final days. He urged people not to judge his decision based on short clips circulating online and instead watch his complete explanation on YouTube.
Protest Continues Despite Fast Ending
Wangchuk has maintained that ending his hunger strike should not be interpreted as the end of the movement. According to the activist, the decision followed discussions with the Centre, assurances regarding action against examination paper leaks, commitments that peaceful protesters would not face legal action, and concerns that prolonged confrontation could escalate into violence.
Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh were present when Wangchuk broke his fast by taking his first liquid nourishment after 26 days. However, the larger agitation remains active. Speaking from Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the organisation had repeatedly urged Wangchuk to prioritise his health as his condition deteriorated over the previous few days.
Ranka supported the activist’s decision, stressing that the negotiations related only to Wangchuk’s fast and not to the wider movement. He reiterated that CJP’s demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation remains unchanged, arguing that while the Centre’s announcement of fast-track courts, tougher legal provisions and examination reforms is welcome, those measures do not address what the organisation considers the structural causes of repeated paper leaks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier appealed to Wangchuk to prioritise his health, while the Centre has since announced a series of legal and administrative measures aimed at strengthening accountability in public examinations.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Public protests and hunger strikes have long been recognised as powerful democratic tools for drawing attention to issues that affect millions of citizens. Equally, public debate and scrutiny are integral to any democracy. However, disagreement should not descend into personal attacks or unverified allegations that undermine genuine public discourse.
Sonam Wangchuk’s decision to explain his reasons publicly reflects the importance of transparency, while the continuation of dialogue between protesters and the government demonstrates that negotiation need not diminish the legitimacy of dissent.
Also read: CJP Holds Firm on Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation; Centre Seeks Time Till Saturday
