Sonam Wangchuk ready to end hunger strike on 3 conditions as CJP’s Parliament march faces ban

Educationist and activist Sonam Wangchuk is willing to end his 22-day hunger strike, but only after receiving assurances from political leaders on raising education-related concerns in Parliament.

In a handwritten letter from Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital, where he described himself as being under “illegal detention”, Wangchuk laid out three conditions for ending his hunger strike.

Wangchuk’s first demand is that the government take responsibility for what he called the alleged “failures” in the education system, particularly the recent National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Neet) question paper leak controversy.

His second condition is that political leaders assure him that the issue of paper leaks and examination irregularities will be raised in Parliament.

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In his third demand, Wangchuk said senior political leaders should visit him at the hospital and provide assurances on both issues if his health or other circumstances prevent him from participating in the planned Parliament march.

The development came as tensions grew in Delhi ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, with the Delhi Police denying permission for the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) planned “Chalo Sansad” march scheduled for July 20.

Wangchuk’s health became a major concern after he was shifted from his protest site to Safdarjung Hospital on July 18, when his condition deteriorated on the 21st day of his indefinite fast.

The 59-year-old activist had initially called his hospitalisation “illegal detention” and refused intravenous fluids. However, his family later said he was prepared to end the protest if certain conditions were met.

His wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, said Wangchuk would break his fast if political leaders met him at Safdarjung Hospital and assured him that issues related to education accountability would be raised during the Monsoon Session.

Delhi police blocks CJP’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ march

Meanwhile, the CJP’s planned march towards Parliament has been denied permission by Delhi Police, which cited security concerns ahead of the Monsoon Session.

In a public advisory, police said organisers had neither applied for nor received approval for the march. Authorities warned that any attempt to hold an unauthorised procession or breach security restrictions could lead to legal action.

Restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which replaced Section 144 of the CrPC, are in place in parts of New Delhi. The order prohibits gatherings of five or more people, except for approved protests at designated locations such as Jantar Mantar.

Heavy security around Parliament

Security has been tightened across the Central Vista area, Parliament Street and routes leading towards the Parliament complex.

A multi-layered security arrangement involving Delhi Police personnel and paramilitary forces has been deployed, with barricades placed around key areas.

Despite the restrictions, CJP organisers claimed that over 1.3 lakh people had registered for the march through a missed-call campaign. Several student protesters also held an overnight vigil at Jantar Mantar and said they would continue raising their demands.

Protest over exam irregularities

The CJP, founded by activist Abhijeet Dipke, has been holding a sit-in protest for nearly a month, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including Neet-UG.

The group has been calling for greater transparency and accountability in India’s examination system.

The Delhi High Court recently backed the government’s decision to medically monitor Wangchuk after concerns were raised over his deteriorating health.

Several opposition leaders, including Shashi Tharoor, Dimple Yadav and Aam Aadmi Party representatives, have met the protesters and supported demands for reforms in public examinations.