SRINAGAR: Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday ended his 26-day hunger strike at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram in the presence of Union Ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh, saying his decision came after prolonged negotiations and appeals from lawmakers across party lines.
Viral visuals showed Wangchuk breaking his fast by sipping from a cup offered in the presence of the two ministers. His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, was also by his side.
“I am grateful and happy to break my fast. Thank you,” Wangchuk said after ending the fast. Turning to 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 on social media later, Wangchuk said he ended his fast after 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 remain peaceful.
“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 had been staging his protest at Jantar Mantar before his health deteriorated, following which he was shifted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram.
