Indian environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk has decided to continue his indefinite hunger strike in Delhi despite mounting health concerns.
The protest centers on alleged examination irregularities and a NEET paper leak. Wangchuk is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to address the systemic failures in the national testing process.
Wangchuk was on the 20th day of his fast [1] when reports indicated he had refused intravenous fluids. He was later shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on the 21st day of his fast [2] as his condition required medical monitoring.
His wife, Dr. Gitanjali Angmo, confirmed that Wangchuk intends to persist with the strike. "I thank Delhi High Court for favourably disposing of this matter," Angmo said.
Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), provided further context regarding the activist's resolve. Dipke said Wangchuk had planned to end his fast on Monday but reversed the decision after witnessing certain events.
The protest has primarily taken place at Jantar Mantar before the shift to the hospital. Despite the medical intervention, organizers intend to maintain the pressure on the government. "We will continue the march to Parliament," Dipke said.
The fast has drawn significant attention to the integrity of India's competitive examinations. The activist's refusal of medical fluids has raised alarms among supporters and medical staff at Safdarjung Hospital, though the protest continues to move forward toward its stated goal of ministerial accountability.
“"He has decided to continue his fast"”
This hunger strike underscores the deep public frustration regarding the transparency of India's high-stakes educational testing. By linking a medical crisis to a demand for ministerial resignation, Wangchuk is leveraging personal sacrifice to force a government response to the NEET paper leak scandal, signaling that the issue is viewed not just as an administrative error but as a systemic failure of governance.
