Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk has extended his indefinite hunger strike after police removed him from a Cockroach Janta Party protest site [1].
The extension follows a clash between authorities and demonstrators during the CJP’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ march near the Parliament area. The standoff highlights growing tensions between youth activists and the government over education accountability and civil liberties in the region.
Wangchuk, a member of the Cockroach Janta Party, is currently fasting at Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi [2]. He has been on a hunger strike for more than 20 days [3]. The activist said he will continue the fast until the government meets with youth leaders and three specific conditions are satisfied [1].
Reports on the status of the strike varied on Monday. One report stated Wangchuk agreed to end the fast subject to conditions, while others noted he extended the strike indefinitely [1, 3].
Wangchuk is protesting what he describes as illegal police detention and brutality against youth demonstrators [4]. His demands include greater accountability in the education system, and a direct dialogue between political leaders and the youth [4, 5].
"I will continue my fast until the government meets the youth leaders and my three conditions are satisfied," Wangchuk said [3].
Gitanjali Angmo, Wangchuk's wife, said the police action was illegal and the group will not back down until justice is served for the young protesters [6].
"We will end the fast only if the three conditions I have set are met by the authorities," Wangchuk said [1].
“"I will continue my fast until the government meets the youth leaders and my three conditions are satisfied."”
The escalation of Sonam Wangchuk's protest underscores a deepening rift between the central government and Ladakh-based activists. By linking his health and survival to the treatment of youth demonstrators and education reform, Wangchuk is attempting to pivot the conversation from regional autonomy to a broader struggle for youth accountability and human rights.
