Activist Sonam Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for twenty days to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in light of multiple exam paper leak incidents. His health has significantly deteriorated during this period, having lost over nine kilograms and facing potential organ failure. Despite his condition attracting attention, there has been a notable silence regarding the underlying cause of his protest.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly not addressed the demands for Pradhan’s dismissal, instead choosing to extend warm birthday wishes to the minister. Furthermore, the focus at the protest site has shifted from demanding Pradhan’s resignation to concerns about Wangchuk’s wellbeing, with calls for him to end his fast for health reasons.

The Journey of the Protest at Jantar Mantar

The protest began on June 20, initiated by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led satirical movement. Sonam Wangchuk joined the demonstration on June 28, initiating his hunger strike to draw attention to the ongoing examination scandals. Notably, the founders of the CJP did not participate in the fast, allowing Wangchuk to become the prominent figure of the protest.

Initially, the protest struggled to gain traction, as CJP’s founder Abhijit Dipke emphasised an apolitical stance, discouraging the involvement of existing political parties. Dipke’s reasoning was that previous governments had contributed to the current problems, and thus, their participation was unwelcome. Wangchuk echoed similar sentiments, suggesting he had joined the CJP protest precisely because of its non-partisan approach.

However, the apolitical narrative weakened when the protest began to lack momentum. In response, Dipke extended invitations to various political leaders across the spectrum to join the agitation. As Wangchuk’s health continued to decline, evidenced by viral footage depicting his frail state, public interest in the strike began to rise.

Shift in Focus from Cause to Health Concerns

The nature of public engagement changed as prominent actors, writers, and opposition leaders took notice of the hunger strike. A petition was submitted to the Delhi High Court, advocating for immediate medical intervention and force-feeding Wangchuk to ensure his safety. This shift in discourse pushed the original cause—the call for Pradhan’s resignation—into the background as urgent appeals emerged to protect Wangchuk’s life.

Recent days have seen an increase in political attention towards the protest, particularly as Parliament’s Monsoon session approaches. Leaders from various parties, including Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, visited Wangchuk at the protest site. Nonetheless, many refrained from directly addressing the central demand of his protest, focusing instead on his immediate health needs.

Although political figures have become involved, the notable absence of key opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi, possibly due to their past affiliations with the protest leaders, has raised questions. Wangchuk himself noted the significance of unity among leaders and the need for their collective action.

Future Steps and Continued Resolve

Despite mounting pressure to conclude his fast, Wangchuk remains resolute in his demands for government accountability. He has communicated his intent not to terminate the hunger strike until there is a satisfactory response to the underlying issues raised. He urged his supporters to focus on action rather than his personal health conditions.

The upcoming proposed march to Parliament on July 20, coinciding with the commencement of the Monsoon session, is anticipated to be pivotal in shaping the protest’s trajectory. Wangchuk remains determined to persist until the march occurs, highlighting the need for sustained attention on educational reforms.

While Wangchuk’s hunger strike has successfully drawn national attention and ignited discussions on social media, the question remains: has the original cause, which called for accountability from the education system, lost its prominence as health concerns take centre stage?

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