Sonam Wangchuk, who is currently undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Medanta Hospital, on Wednesday set a new condition for his hunger strike to end.
In a letter addressed to Union ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh, he stated that he would only end his hunger strike in solidarity with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest if the Centre assured him that no "legal cases, harassment or vindictive action" would be taken against the protesters.
"The 'Chalo Sansad' march on July 20, 2026 remained very peaceful despite the atrocities and disproportionate use of force by the police," he wrote in the letter, thanking the ministers for visiting him, and telling him that the Centre would consider his earlier demands.
"I want to live. I want to return to my students, to education, and to the work that has defined my life. But I cannot do so at the cost of the very young people for whom this movement began," he noted in the letter, saying that the CJP protesters were only concerned with making the country's education system fair and accountable.
He also pointed out that if the Centre did not assure him that the CJP protesters would be protected from legal action, he would continue his fast indefinitely.
I also hope that there will be no further use of excessive police force to repress the movement," Wangchuk added.
The renowned educationist and activist had previously demanded that there be a meaningful discussion in the Parliament monsoon session about accountability in the education sector—including the possible resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Medanta Hospital update on Wangchuk's health
The Gurugram-based hospital said on Wednesday that though Wangchuk would remain in the ICU until further notice, his health was stable.
"He is being treated by a multidisciplinary team of doctors. Presently, he is stable, oriented, and his vital signs are within accepted parameters," the hospital said, as per a News18 report.
Wangchuk was admitted to Medanta on Tuesday after the Delhi High Court heard an appeal filed by his wife, Gitanjali Angmo, who wanted to transfer him from the Safdarjung Hospital, where she claimed he was being detained.
