Around 50 Opposition Members of Parliament have signed a joint petition urging climate activist and education reform advocate Sonam Wangchuk to end his indefinite hunger strike, citing growing concerns over his deteriorating health while assuring him that his demands will be pursued inside Parliament.
Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai, who announced the appeal outside Parliament, said the MPs believe Wangchuk’s life must now take priority, as his message has already reached the nation.
Wangchuk, however, has maintained that he would consider ending his fast only if political leaders provide credible assurances that the issues he has raised including accountability over alleged examination irregularities and concerns of protesting students are meaningfully debated during the ongoing Monsoon Session.
The development comes after weeks of mounting concern over his health, his transfer to Safdarjung Hospital under medical supervision following Delhi High Court proceedings, and appeals from civil society, public figures and political leaders urging him to preserve his life while continuing the movement through democratic institutions.
Political Appeal Gains Momentum
The petition announced by Rajeev Rai marks one of the strongest coordinated political interventions since Wangchuk began his indefinite hunger strike on June 28. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Rai said nearly 50 MPs from various Opposition parties had signed the appeal, assuring Wangchuk that Parliament would become the primary platform for pursuing his demands.
According to Rai, the MPs have committed to collectively raising questions surrounding examination transparency, institutional accountability and the concerns of protesting students during the current Parliament session. “His voice has reached the entire country.
Now it is important that he remains healthy to continue this movement,” Rai said while explaining the purpose behind the petition. The appeal follows several visits and attempts by Opposition leaders to meet Wangchuk during his hospitalisation, reflecting growing political support for his campaign even as they urge him to discontinue the fast.
Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, has also stated that he would consider ending the hunger strike if political representatives personally assured him that Parliament would seriously deliberate on education accountability. The appeal comes amid increasing medical concerns, with reports indicating significant weight loss, muscle deterioration, electrolyte imbalance and the risk of hypokalaemia after nearly a month of fasting.
Health Crisis And Wider Support
Wangchuk’s hunger strike has gradually evolved from an individual protest into a broader national conversation on democratic engagement, education accountability and the limits of peaceful protest.
After petitions highlighted the serious risks to his health, the Delhi High Court directed that his condition be monitored regularly and ordered daily clinical assessments while ensuring that medical treatment followed due legal procedure.
Acting on medical advice, Delhi Police shifted Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital, a move authorities described as necessary to protect his life, though the decision drew criticism from Opposition parties and supporters who alleged restrictions on his movement and communication.
Meanwhile, support for Wangchuk has expanded well beyond political circles. More than 1,800 writers, artists, academics and public intellectuals, including author Arundhati Roy and filmmaker Zoya Akhtar, have appealed to him to end the fast, arguing that his continued leadership is more valuable than risking irreversible harm to his health.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), whose youth-led movement Wangchuk joined in solidarity, has similarly urged him to discontinue the hunger strike while pledging to continue the campaign for education reforms and accountability. Founder Abhijeet Dipke has reiterated that the movement has become larger than any one individual and that its objectives can continue through democratic means even if Wangchuk steps back from fasting.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The growing appeal from Opposition MPs, civil society members, artists and ordinary citizens reflects a shared concern that democratic movements are ultimately strengthened by sustained participation rather than personal sacrifice alone. Hunger strikes have long held a place in India’s tradition of peaceful protest, often serving as powerful moral instruments to draw attention to public concerns.
At the same time, the preservation of life remains equally important in any democratic society. As political parties now promise to raise Wangchuk’s demands within Parliament, the focus should shift towards meaningful debate, institutional accountability and constructive engagement rather than prolonged confrontation. Democracies function best when dissent is heard, dialogue remains open and institutions respond with transparency and empathy.
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