Sonam Wangchuk Sets Conditions to End Hunger Strike Amid Chalo Sansad Protest

Activist Sonam Wangchuk, age 59, is seeking a resolution to his three-week hunger strike after being forcibly admitted to Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi. The protest, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), demands constitutional status for Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule and accountability for systemic examination failures. The movement erupted following a NEET-UG paper leak in May 2026, which affected 2.2 million students and led to widespread frustration over government response times and youth unemployment, which the CJP satire platform has highlighted since its inception.

Wangchuk has stated he will end his fast on July 20, 2026, provided that political representatives meet him at the hospital. He requires a formal commitment from officials to address education accountability during the monsoon session of Parliament, which begins today. Despite his health deterioration and hospitalization, Wangchuk remains a central figure in the protest. The Delhi High Court recently denied a petition to transfer him to a private facility or release him, maintaining the state’s current course of action.

Supporters are moving forward with the 'Chalo Sansad' march to Parliament on July 20, 2026, despite the Delhi Police denying formal permission. The movement is demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and financial compensation for families of students who died by suicide due to stress. As tensions rise in the capital, police have deployed heavy security measures. The outcome hinges on whether opposition parties formally raise these demands in Parliament to secure a dialogue, signaling a critical test for the government's handling of civil protest.