Agencies | Gurugram:
Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday ended his 26-day hunger strike at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram in the presence of Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Union Minister Jitendra Singh, saying his decision came after prolonged negotiations with the Centre and repeated appeals from lawmakers across political parties.
Visuals from the hospital showed Wangchuk breaking his fast by sipping from a cup offered in the presence of the two Union ministers. His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, was by his side during the moment.
“I am grateful and happy to break my fast. Thank you,” Wangchuk said after ending the fast. Addressing his wife, he added, “Gitanjali has always stood by me and been my support. I don’t want to thank you but express my feelings.”
In a statement shared later on social media, Wangchuk said he ended the hunger strike following discussions held in the presence of the two Union ministers and senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh Ladakh.
“Earlier, 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had visited or signed letters urging me to break the fast. This was done after long negotiations on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country,” he wrote.
Wangchuk said he would soon release a separate video explaining the conditions that emerged from the negotiations. He also appealed to people to maintain peace.
“Meanwhile, I urge you all to stay very vigilant about not allowing violence of any kind anywhere,” he said.
Wangchuk had begun his indefinite hunger strike on June 28, demanding reforms in the education system and accountability over alleged examination paper leaks. He initially staged his protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi before his health deteriorated, prompting his transfer to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram for medical care.
