Sonam Wangchuk Announces Hunger Strike From June 28 Over NEET Probe, Ladakh Demands

Education reform activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday announced that he will begin a hunger strike from June 28 if the Centre fails to meet at least one of his two demands by June 27, including fixing accountability in the NEET paper leak case and addressing environmental and cultural concerns related to his native Ladakh. The demands include action against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, as sought by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), or granting greater powers to Ladakh.

Wangchuk, who is currently in Geneva, Switzerland, shared a video from the protest square outside the United Nations office, saying he had informed protesters at Jantar Mantar last week that he would go on a fast after returning to India if the government did not respond.

"Greetings from Palais des Nations, Geneva. This is the Jantar Mantar of Geneva where people can gather and demonstrate. Education and environment are my two causes and I hope at least one of them would be resolved during this week," Wangchuk said in a post on X.

In the video, he said he would wait until June 27. If the government accepts at least one of the demands before then, he said he would not go ahead with the hunger strike.

CJP shares Wangchuk's message

The Cockroach Janta Party, whose protest entered its sixth day, also shared Wangchuk's video on X and announced his decision.

"Big announcement. Sonam Wangchuk to start hunger strike on June 28 at Jantar Mantar. Sonam appealed to the government to show accountability by Saturday, June 27 or he will sit on a hunger strike. Inquilab Zindabad!!" the party posted.

Wangchuk repeats demands on education and Ladakh

Last week, Wangchuk said the Centre must ensure accountability in the education sector and fulfil its promises to Ladakh.

He alleged that the government had not kept its assurance of giving more powers to Ladakh after it became a Union Territory. He also said adequate steps had not been taken to protect the region's environment and cultural identity.

At the protest last Saturday, Wangchuk had announced that he would return to Jantar Mantar and begin a hunger strike if there was no action within a week.

The activist has been campaigning for greater constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, stronger local governance and measures to protect the Himalayan region's ecology while continuing to raise concerns over issues related to education.