Opposition urges Sonam Wangchuk to end fast, vows to raise exam issue in Parliament

A delegation of Opposition leaders, including Congress MP Vivek Tankha, TMC MP Sagarika Ghose and CPM MP John Brittas, visited climate activist Sonam Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on Wednesday and urged him to end his 25-day fast.

The leaders assured Wangchuk that the Opposition would raise issues related to alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and accountability in the education sector during the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament.

Earlier, Wangchuk had said he would end his fast if MPs and leaders of political parties assured him that the issue of accountability in the education sector would be taken up in Parliament.

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However, following the police crackdown on protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) ‘Sansad Chalo’ march, the activist said he would continue his fast until such an assurance was received.

Wangchuk joined the CJP-led agitation at Jantar Mantar on June 28 and began an indefinite hunger strike in support of students demanding accountability for examination irregularities, reforms in the education system and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Meanwhile, 50 Opposition MPs have signed a letter urging Wangchuk to end his fast.

The Cockroach Janta Party also appealed to Wangchuk to call off his fast.

“Dear Sonam Sir, with great respect and gratitude, we request you to please end your fast,” the CJP said in a post on X.

“Your sacrifice has inspired thousands of students across the country. On July 20, young people travelled from different states to stand with you and this movement. You have shown that this fight is bigger than any one person and that students deserve justice. But right now, we need you to take care of your health,” the post said.

The CJP added that it would continue its protests until its demands were met.